Oklahoma City Thunder: 2015 Projected Starting Lineup

Danny Moloshok/Associated Press

Russell Westbrook couldn’t carry the whole team last season, while doing more than anyone could have asked, and after an injury-ridden season, the Thunder will try to get back into the playoffs. They have a new coach in Billy Donovan, and are ready to take the league by storm.

Point Guard – Russell Westbrook

This shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody, as Westbrook was magnificent last season. He stepped up to the plate when Kevin Durant went down, and nearly single handedly led the Thunder to the playoffs. He led the league in triple-doubles (11), and on top of that, won the scoring title. Westbrook was in consideration for the MVP for a long part of the season, averaging 28.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game. Westbrook is a lock to be the starter for the 2015-16 season.

Behind Westbrook, we will see time shared between D.J. Augustin and Cameron Payne. Augustin was acquired back at last years trade deadline, involved in the deal that sent Reggie Jackson to Detroit. Augustin was behind Westbrook last year on the depth chart, in which he averaged 7.3 points and 3.1 assists per game. As for Payne, the Thunder used a lottery pick on him, and definitely have a plan. Payne will contest for the backup role, but it is unlikely he overthrows Augustin of the role this year. Payne is more of a project they will mature for a year or two, and then will become featured in the lineup.

Shooting Guard – Dion Waiters

Waiters was acquired back at the trade deadline, and filled in nicely for the whole Thabo Sefolosha left behind when he left to Atlanta. Waiters averaged 12.7 points and 2.9 rebounds last season. Waiters has proved he can be a reliable shooting guard to assist Russell Westbrook in a very talented front court, and will fit in nicely this season. His numbers may decline a bit, but we cannot forget he is on the same team as Westbrook and Kevin Durant. Waiters will be a very effective role player for the team this year, and is going to be key for a playoff run.

While Waiters will most likely start, Anthony Morrow will still see a lot of playing time. Morrow, who is considered a three point specialist, is a very consistent shooter. He shot 43% from the three point line, and as we learned from the Golden State Warriors, three point shooting can win you a championship. Like Waiters, last season was Morrow’s first with the team. He averaged 10.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. This season, we will see Morrow a fair amount, and he could contend for the starting job.

Small Forward – Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant, or KD, had arguably his most frustrating year last season, as he only played in 27 games. A foot injury kept Durant off of the court, and was an unbalanceable burden for Oklahoma City. Durant’s absence was clearly the reason we didn’t see ‘OKC’ in the playoffs last year. When Durant did play, he averaged 25.5 points and 6.6 rebounds. Durant should find his old self this year, and we can only hope he stays healthy. If Durant is healthy this season, he will be a driving force for the Thunder to make the playoffs.

Behind Durant, Kyle Singler will there to back him up. Like Guards Dion Waiters and DJ Augustin, the Thunder acquired Singler at the trade deadline. Singler was signed to a five year extension worth $25 Million this offseason. Singler is here to stay, and if something happens to Durant, then Singler will step up. With Durant healthy, we won’t see him play too much, but he will still see a fair share of minutes this season.

Aside from Singler, Andre Roberson will also get some playing time. He came in frequently last season, and showed some potential. He has the ability to be a solid, dependable role player for the Thunder this season. As for last season, Roberson averaged 3.4 points and 3.8 rebounds.

Also, Josh Huestis will enter his first official year in the NBA. Huestis was drafted by the Thunder with the 29th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. He spent all of last season in the Thunder’s D-League team, where he averaged 10.2 points and 5.6 rebounds. He just signed a four year deal with the Thunder, and will be ready to begin his career. Like Cameron Payne, we may need to wait a year or two to see Huestis become a featured player

Power Forward – Serge Ibaka

Ibaka is rapidly becoming an elite player in the NBA. Despite missing 18 games last season. Ibaka expanded his game while he was efficient at the three point shot last season, an element we haven’t ever seen in his game. He has been a menace for opposing defenses, averaging 14.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game last season. Ibaka’s injury did hurt the team, and his presence might have been enough to get the Thunder into the playoffs. He recently did have surgery on his right knee, he hasn’t been cleared yet, but is expected to be a full go come the regular season.

In the event Ibaka is not available, veteran Nick Collison is always available. Collison has been with the Thunder since 2003, when he was drafted by the then Seattle Supersonics. Collison has always been a very reliable backup, and is an excellent defender. Last season, Collison averaged 4.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. While Ibaka rests, or in the event he is injured, Collison is good enough to hold his own at the power forward position.

Aside from Collison and Ibaka, the Thunder picked up Steve Novak at last seasons trade deadline from the Utah Jazz. Like Morrow, Novak is a three point specialist. Last season, he shot 40% from the arc. Novak is a veteran who will help the Thunder backcourt, and he may see a share in minutes for the upcoming season.

Center – Enes Kanter

Kanter was just signed to a four year, $70 Million dollar extension, and you don’t spend that type of money on someone who isn’t going to play. Kanter will see a lot of minutes this year, and he has earned them. Last season with the Thunder, he averaged 18.7 points, and 11.0 rebounds. Watching him play with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will be very exciting, and defenses will struggle to contain these scoring machines.

Kanter will have to watch Steven Adams play a little bit at the Center position.Adams is a very talented center, and has shown flashes of being a quality center. Adams shined back in the 2014-15 playoffs, but a hand injury made him sit out 12 games last season. When he was healthy, Adams averaged 7.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. Adams has a ton of potential, and while he may not play more than Kanter, he will still get a great deal of minutes this year.

Sitting at the third string is probably going to be Mitch McGary.The former first round pick showed signs of a star last season, and will continue to develop into a more complete player. McGary averaged 6.3 points and 5.2 rebounds last season. McGary will be put in games a lot more than last year, and will get several opportunities to showcase his skills.