The Smoking Cuban
FanSided

Dallas Mavericks: Four Playoff Teams With a Chance at 2019 Lottery

By Kohl Rast

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 17: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on December 17, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 17: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on December 17, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 27: Paul George #13, Carmelo Anthony #7, and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Utah Jazz during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 27: Paul George #13, Carmelo Anthony #7, and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Utah Jazz during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder may not be my top pick for which team will fade back into the NBA Draft Lottery, but they are the first team I want to mention. After a pretty disheartening series loss to the Utah Jazz in the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs, the question marks started to roll in for OKC.

Most people believed that it would take a pretty serious playoff run for Paul George to consider sticking around after his contract expires. That didn’t happen, so most are in agreement that Paul George is out. This would turn the Thunder’s big three into Russ Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, and Steven Adams.

Although that doesn’t sound like a terrible big three on paper, the deterioration of Melo’s game was very obvious this season. It was so bad that Thunder fans have started a fund in hopes of raising enough money for the franchise to buy out Anthony’s contract. That is a pretty bad sign.

Despite the distaste from the fans, it is likely that Melo will be back in a Thunder jersey next season before entering a contract year. This will only hurt the Thunder’s playoff hopes and, I believe they will fall in the standings as the west just continues to get stronger. Russ will carry them big time, but can he carry them into the top of the west by himself?

I don’t think he can and I think that Adams is too much of a role player to be of much help.

Next: Portland Trail Blazers