Do the Golden State Warriors Have the Brightest Future Of Any NBA Team?

Oklahoma City Thunder

May 15, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) misses on the last shot of the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half of game five of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Grizzlies defeated the Thunder 88-84. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

We all know the rap on the Oklahoma City Thunder. They have two of the game’s brightest young stars in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, both locked up with long-term deals, starting to gain important playoff experience.  If Serge Ibaka ever learns a few moves in the post, he could be the next great power forward.

The three things the Thunder have that could determine their relevancy down the road? The career path of Perry Jones III, Jeremy Lamb and whomever they draft with the pick they got from the Rockets in the Harden deal.

Jones III was once considered for the No.1 pick a few years back. After showing he can disappear for stretches at Baylor, he fell all the way down the draft board until the Thunder wisely swooped him up. He’s basically a poor man’s version of Durant, but has no assertiveness or killer instinct. These are both things that can be willed on a player; it just depends how much they want it.

Lamb is also an intriguing prospect and could be an excellent shooting guard to bring off the bench behind Westbrook.

The Thunder are currently in a great position, as a championship contender right now, they are the only team with the ability to maintain this level of play for the next decade.