The Thunder begin training camp Tuesday and the questions will be waiting.
While they have a veteran, playoff-tested roster and two of the top players in the NBA, there are some issues facing the team when they open the season on the road on Oct. 29 at Portland.
Here are three that are sure to be on everyone's mind
1. Can Kevin Durant catch his breath this season?
By the time the playoffs came around the past two seasons, Kevin Durant ran out of energy. Part of that was due to Russell Westbrook getting hurt â two years ago it happened in the playoffs. Last year, Durant picked up extra minutes while Westbrook was hurt again.
So, it seems to reason the Thunder would do good to put Durant on a minutes-watch. Not a restriction, a watch. Remember, last year, Westbrook eased his way back into things as he was limited from his knee injury. Something has to be done.
Durant played an average of 38.5 minutes per game last season â third in the league behind Carmelo Anthony and Jimmy Butler. Durant played 81 games. In the playoffs, Durant averaged 42.9 minutes per game, third in the league behind James Harden and Jimmy Butler. Butler and Harden played a total of 11 playoff games. Durant played 19.
Naturally, defenses are better come playoff time, but Durant's numbers dipped in the postseason, shooting a worse percentage in the playoffs than the regular season from both the field and the 3-point line.
The concern will be seeding for the Thunder. Will they play to win the top seed in the Western Conference or will they play to make sure everyone is healthy come playoff time? Perhaps the Thunder is good enough -- with a healthy Durant and Westbrook â something that hasn't happened since the team went to the NBA Finals in the 2011-12 season -- to get back to the Finals from just about any seeding, but if the Thunder do decide to play Durant fewer minutes and the team loses a few games, it will be interesting to see how coach Scott Brooks and the management of the team respond.
1a. - Is everything cool with Westbrook?
As far as we know, Westbrook and his knee are fully healthy. No reason to think otherwise. The team hasn't said anything about Westbrook in the offseason and made no mention if he's on a minutes-restriction or there are any lingering effects.
The first chance to talk with Westbrook is Monday. We may find out more then.
2. What's the deal with Reggie Jackson?
Jackson is set to become a restricted free agent after this season is over and also is set to be a starter. At least that's what he's said he wants to do.
So, the question is will Jackson come off the bench again this season a- role where he's been good â or will he step into the starting role now that Thabo Sefolosha has moved on?
As a starter, the Thunder would have the best offensive starting five in the league. Jackson, alongside Westbrook, Durant and Serge Ibaka would be quite formidable. As a sixth-man, Jackson provides quality scoring and a veteran presence. A lot of teams don't have that consistency off the bench.
Maybe starting Jackson would make him more likely to want to re-sign with the Thunder. Then again, a big year off the bench makes him more marketable, too.
If Jackson comes off the bench, it would probably mean giving the starting job to Jeremy Lamb. Lamb has shown flashes of some impressive basketball, but he's still potential at this point. If he can get better at defense, the Thunder and namely Brooks would be more likely to play him more valuable minutes.
The Thunder have always said their No. 1 priority is defense, but with Jackson in the starting lineup, they can say whatever they want as far as defense goes because they'll be able to outscore whoever lines up against them.
Of course, if the Thunder can re-sign Jackson during the season, it would take a lot of pressure off of Jackson to have to preform at a high level. Then again, maybe that's what Jackson wants so he can improve his market value for the 2015-16 season.
The Thunder didn't want to overpay James Harden, but perhaps they'll want to make sure they don't make the same mistake again.
3. Will KD and Russ have to do it all on their own again?
Certainly the two superstars are good enough to go win an NBA title, but it hasn't happened yet.
The closest the two came was when Harden was the on the team and the Thunder lost to the Heat in five games. Since then, they have been desperate to find a third scorer.
Each season, forward Serge Ibaka has improved, but his ability to become consistent is still in question. He's one of the best defensive players in the game, but can be that third guy?
A good case can be made the Thunder have lots of options â and they do â with Jackson and Ibaka â and now they have one more option in guard Anthony Morrow. Morrow is the best shooter the team has had since Harden left and he will be used primarily off the bench.
Morrow is an NBA veteran but he's never been surrounded by the kind of players he'll be teammates with in Oklahoma City. Because of that, Morrow should have plenty of open looks and plenty of opportunities.
OKC is not like the Spurs. It's a team with a pair of superstars who create, and then take, their own shots. Morrow will be a spot-up shooter, camped out in the corner or on the wing. It will be interesting to see how Durant and Westbrook alter their games - or if they will - to give up shots for Morrow.
Follow Andrew Gilman on Twitter: @andrewgilmanOK
