This season, the Thunder is spending about $2.12 million on the salary of an everyday starter who has softened the blow of losing the stifling defense of Andre Robinson (ruptured left patellar tendon) for almost a year and counting. That’s a much-needed break for a team with one of the highest payrolls in the league.

Ferguson’s defensive improvements over the past season alone have made his contract a bargain for the Thunder. He has proven he can stay in front of some of the best offensive guards in the league: James Harden, Klay Thompson, the list goes on.

That also means George, a strong Defensive Player of the Year candidate and the Thunder’s leading scorer, doesn’t have to run himself ragged chasing after players like McCollum all game.

As for that shooting slump he started the season in, Ferguson has shot 55 percent from 3-point range over the Thunder’s past eight games.

“I see the same Terrance,” OKC point guard Russell Westbrook said. “He’s been shooting the same shots. Early in the season, y’all was killing him. Now he’s making them.”