Days of Thunder: Can the Thunder Derail Future Heat Dynasty

Everyone is talking about the Miami Heat this season. Fans in South Florida are looking forward to a dynasty for years to come. As a Heat fan, I feel very confident in winning a championship or two, but the dynasty can be derailed by one team. That team is the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

The Thunder are not a threat to win a championship this year, but they are well on their way. I credit the Thunder's front office for assembling a team of great talent. Make no mistake, Oklahoma City can become their own dynasty in a few years. One that can include a Big Five. 

The Thunder have built through the draft and amassed some great talents. They have also done a fantastic job with the team salaries. The Thunder's talents are good enough to attract superstars despite the team's location.

In Kevin Durant, the Thunder have the youngest of the top four talents in the league. He has the best shot in the league, and took home the scoring crown in his third year, averaging 30.1 ppg in the tough Western Conference and he is only 21 years old! 

They surrounded Durant with a special talent at the point in Russell Westbrook. After a solid rookie campaign, he progressed in his sophomore season to average 16 points and eight assists a game. Westbrook, like Durant, is only 21 years old. 

The third part of the Thunder's little three is Jeff Green. Jeff is the old guy of the group if you can call it that, at an ancient 23 years old. Green is a very talented forward entering his fourth year who averaged 15 ppg for the Thunder.

So he is my fear as a Heat fan: 

The Thunder's little three makes a combined $15 million dollars in 2010! The Thunder are obviously below the salary cap. More amazingly, they are looking to drop over $25 million in expiring salaries. This will give the Thunder more than $32 million dollars to maneuver in the summer of 2011. 

With a core of Durant, Westbrook, and Green, the Thunder can go get two tier-one players and fit them under the cap.

Imagine that the Thunder landed a tier-one shooting guard, a slasher, and still had the money to sign a Dwight Howard type. Oklahoma City is no Miami, but players looking to win should look at the Thunder's situation.

Oklahoma City has amassed the most talented "young team" if they can land a star or two in their prime, they will be the team to beat in the West.