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Does the Carmelo trade make OKC a title contender?

How good are the new-look Thunder? AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

How does the trade sending Carmelo Anthony from the New York Knicks to the Oklahoma City Thunder alter the Western Conference playoff race?

Before adding Anthony, the Thunder came in a surprising fifth in West projections using ESPN's real plus-minus (RPM) despite dealing for Paul George earlier this summer. Anthony hasn't rated particularly well by RPM, but he does project better than departed Oklahoma City reserves Enes Kanter and Doug McDermott.

So much how does the Thunder's projection improve? And what can that tell us about the West playoff race? Let's take a look.