Oklahoma City’s weakness was identified in the regular season and harped on all season long. Outside of Chet Holmgren, the team lacks a traditional big man and Jalen Williams has played up a spot at the four throughout the year. It has obviously worked to perfection as the Thunder secured the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference — and now completed a first-round sweep — but the method still has skeptics.

At the trade deadline, fans clamored for a backup center or depth in the front court. Oklahoma City dug its feet in and committed to the system and philosophy of Mark Daigneault. The only deadline move was the addition of Gordon Hayward. Of course, the team signed Bismack Biyombo and Mike Muscala off waivers, but neither has made a big impact outside of the locker room.