Oklahoma City

As long as Westbrook was around, the Thunder were always going to compete. Losing Paul George to the Clippers meant that even Russ saw the writing on the wall and he eventually was traded to play alongside his old running mate in James Harden.

So, rebuild right? It's not that cut and dried in OKC.

In return for their superstars, the Thunder got a gem in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as well as a truck load of draft picks. However they also picked up a pair of excellent veterans in Danilo Gallinari and Chris Paul.

CP3 may be ageing, but he's still one of the best in the business at running an offence and getting to his spots. Gallo came into the league as a small forward, but is pretty much the prototypical 4 in this era. He's averaging his standard 19 points and 5 rebounds with great shooting splits.

These two make it difficult for the Thunder to out and out tank. Whilst the rest of the roster has no real quality outside of SGA, Paul, Gallo & Steven Adams, that foursome mean they're too good to bottom out and not really good enough for a Western Conference playoff spot.

So it seems likely that General Manager Sam Presti will look to strip down the roster. Gallo is an easy trade: so many teams need a stretchy power forward who can create and isn't a total liability on defense. Plus, he's on an expiring deal.

Paul on the other hand....his contract isn't going to age well.

He's getting $38 million this year and has a player option on $44 million for the 2022 season, when he'll be 36 years old.

There are trade destinations for Paul in Miami and Minnesota, but they're likely playing too well to rock the boat and trade for him.

All in all, this team might have the talent to make the playoffs if the roster stays intact. Don't bet on that happening.

San Antonio Spurs

This is going to be the season, isn't it. Sure, we've all thought it before and been proven wrong, but surely this is the season that San Antonio misses the playoffs for the first time this millennium.

The 6-11 Spurs broke their 8 game skid (which coach Popovich handled in his usual style) with a win in New York. As that record suggests, the Spurs are just not all that talented.

The club have made a living out of finding gems in trades (Kawhi Leonard), late 1st rounders (Dejounte Murray) or picking up other teams cast offs (Rudy Gay and Patty Mills).

The magic couldn't last forever though, and this season the time has come for the Spurs to finally pay the piper.

The teams main player, LaMarcus Aldridge, is ageing and DeMar DeRozan is just not cut out to be the main man on a good NBA team. The rest of the team are either older role players or limited youngsters.

Murray and Derrick White have oodles of potential, but neither project as offensive stars.

Perhaps it's time to see what 2018 draft pick Lonnie Walker IV can do?

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