Predicting 2013-14 Western Conference Standings Pre-Free Agency

No. 2 Seed – Oklahoma City Thunder (2012-13 – No. 1 Seed)

Mar 17, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma City’s playoff run this year was impacted significantly because of Russell Westbrook’s season-ending injury. Three-time scoring champion Kevin Durant was unable to will his team past the second round, and so the Thunder lost in five games to the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Thunder have two lottery picks this year (12th and 29th), which will allow more youth too an already youthful squad. Suffice to say, OKC will continue to be a perennial playoff threat in 2013-14.