If they kept that group together they would have gone to multiple NBA Finals. It's weird looking back, but the way they used Harden was less than optimal by bringing him off the bench to play with the second unit. He wasn't really a starter during his time with the Thunder. Also, the 'Big 3' for the Thunder looked like it was going to be Durant, Westbrook and Ibaka. Ibaka was a great defender with an improving outside shot before he started regressing. It was a massive blunder on the Thunder's part for breaking up that incredible triumvirate, but I didn't think Harden was this good or ever capable of winning an MVP. Sidenote: This is a fitting punishment for how they screwed over the city of Seattle and Supersonics fans. Seattle deserves an NBA team. They wouldn't have been able to afford to keep that team together long term Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka and Harden? Yeah, they wouldn't have been able to afford that group. Durant, Westbrook and Harden? I'm pretty sure they could afford to keep those three and surround them with inexpensive vets and some players on rookie contracts. I mean right now or this season they were paying a good amount for Westbrook, George and Carmelo.