Now that the Thunder have officially matched Enes Kanter‘s offer from Portland, we can start to focus on how he’ll fit into the Thunder rotation and how the team is going to look next season. This team can be an offensive juggernaut, capable of putting up monstrous numbers. The starting lineup and the second unit can, in theory, maintain the offensive flow game-in and game-out.

It would seem like this may be the first season in some time that Oklahoma City has alternate scoring options aside from Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Among the many question that was posed regarding the Kanter deal was if he’s worth the kind of money that the Thunder are going to pay him. Mixed reviews and opinions flooded my twitter timeline; however, Kanter was valuable last season for the Thunder. He almost averaged a double-double last season alone, his chemistry with Russell Westbrook was starting to blossom right before our eyes, and he knows the pick-and-roll offense:

Defensively, he has some shortcomings. But playing alongside Serge Ibaka, Nick Collison, and Steven Adams can help with his defensive liability. Let’s also not forget, Kanter will be playing for a different coach this season in Billy Donovan. Donovan is vastly different than former head coach Scott Brooks. Kanter could flourish in Donovan’s system. What’s important is that Kanter and Westbrook get significant playing time together. The Thunder can also operate in a match-up press defense. The challenge for Donovan will be where exactly to put Kanter. How will the starting lineups look?

If you have a traditional starting lineup of Durant, Westbrook, Roberson, Ibaka and Kanter, you might run into a problem. There’s only one ball, four of those starting five need touches to get going. So, in theory, OKC could have Kanter coming off the bench to provide an offensive spark when Durant takes a rest. How many times did the Thunder have a 20-point lead in the fourth, only to have it cut in half and force the starters to come back in to provide the final blow?

With Kanter coming off the bench, you get another scoring option aside from Dion Waiters. As my editor David Ramil pointed out, it worked for Golden State, too:

Kanter could potentially be OKC's David Lee. A capable scorer and poor defender that can't be moved because of his contract. — David Ramil (@dramil13) July 12, 2015

You wonder if Billy Donovan will be able to make the same choice Steve Kerr did for GSW – benching Kanter because it's best for the team — David Ramil (@dramil13) July 12, 2015

The ideal starting lineup for the Thunder should consist of Russ, KD, Roberson, Ibaka and Adams. However, I strongly believe that Westbrook and Kanter should get time on the floor together. They had great chemistry last season and can be a strong pick-and-roll option for Oklahoma City. Having Kanter come off the bench and play with D.J. Augustin, Kyle Singler, Dion Waiters and Mitch McGary makes for an interesting second unit. If they can all play together in the spread pick-and-roll offense, the Thunder can make some serious noise in the west. Augustin can run the pick-and-roll offense, Singler spreads the floor, and Waiters can create his own shot. Also, you can bring in Collsion for defense.

Having a player like Kanter has its pros and cons like any other player in the NBA. However, this season, is the season to go all in and try to form a championship-caliber team. I believe general manager Sam Presti has taken the steps needed to have the Thunder in striking distance of make a deep run for the NBA finals. Donovan will have his work cut out for him during training camp.