How the Charlotte Hornets compare to each NBA team in 2019-20

Oklahoma City Thunder

• ’18-19 Record: 40-33
• ’18-19 Season Series: 2-0 (Thunder)
• ’19-20 Advantage: Thunder

The Thunder are another team in rebuild mode after trading Russell Westbrook to the Rockets, but they are in a much better spot with a legit building block in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a haul of first round picks coming from the Clippers after the Paul George trade.

They actually have a decent team this year with Chris Paul leading the way, but in the stacked Western Conference, it’s hard to see them achieving very much. They will certainly be competitive, but they are looking more towards the future rather than the present.

After years and years of shortcomings, I would say the Thunder made the right move by trading away both Westbrook and George. It wasn’t going to work, and they were able to get a big return for both players. That’s really good work from their front office.

Only playing twice per season, the Hornets have struggled with the Thunder, winning just three games against them in nine years. We’ll see if they can turn the table when they meet up during the 2019-20 season.