We all know the numbers from last season in Oklahoma City: When Russell Westbrook was on the court the Thunder outscored opponents by 3.3 points per 100 possessions, when he sat they were outscored by 8.9. The Thunder did keep the best players on with Westbrook to help him chase the triple-double mark and an MVP, but this team was not deep.
This summer the Thunder have addressed that concern. Paul George is obviously a big help (you can stagger him and Westbrook at times), but also they have added depth.
To that point, they are adding veteran Raymond Felton to the point guard mix, a story broken by Chris Haynes of ESPN.
Free agent Raymond Felton agrees to one-year deal with Oklahoma City Thunder, league sources tell ESPN.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 7, 2017
While no price is given, it would have to be for the veteran minimum.
Felton has issues at age 33, including his three-point shot and a career of conditioning concerns, but he’s an upgrade over Norris Cole and Semaj Christon. Felton can get some points off the drive, is a solid floor general, and is physically strong enough to defend larger guards. The Clippers needed 21 minutes a game out of him last season, but if the Thunder can cut that closer to 15-17 most nights, that should work and give them decent minutes behind Westbrook.