The Oklahoma City Thunder the biggest surprise of the NBA season. After trading away Paul George and Russell Westbrook last offseason, many believed the Thunder would begin the rebuilding process. However, the Thunder defied the odds and was the fifth seed in the western conference playoffs this season.

Here is Chris Paul's Instagram post on how analysts thought the Thunder weren't going to make the playoffs this season:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEAv6GRlKup/?igshid=19teelfjprjkt

While the Thunder's time in the playoffs was short-lived they did push the Houston Rockets to a seven-game series in round one. It took an impressive James Harden defensive effort to prevent the Thunder from advancing to the second round.

Looking at the future Oklahoma City has to look forward to, they have a young star in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, along with a haul of draft picks from the Paul George trade. Not to mention, if they wanted to totally rebuild, they have valuable trade pieces in Dennis Schroeder and Steven Adams' expiring contracts and perhaps even Chris Paul who continues to draw some interest despite his massive deal.

One change that is coming next season is that the Thunder will have a new head coach. Oklahoma City and former head coach Billy Donovan decided to mutually part ways after the season. A shock being that Donovan was voted by his peers as co-coach of the year.

In the search for a new head coach the Thunder are in need of two things. A head coach that can develop young talent already on the team, and any young players coming in through the draft. In addition, a head coach who can establish a culture that translates to winning.

Here are some of the three best candidates available that the Thunder could turn to:

Kenny Atkinson

One of the coaching candidates the Thunder should consider is Kenny Atkinson. The former head coach of the Brooklyn Nets was fired earlier this season. Atkinson was fired before even getting a chance to coach the Nets' new superstar acquisitions in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

During his stint in Brooklyn, Atkinson was able to develop young talent that eventually led the Nets to a playoff berth in 2018. Atkinson aided D'Angelo Russell into having a career year which made him a first-time All-Star. Other young talents like Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert, and Spencer Dinwiddie flourished under Atkinson's system.

Making Atkinson the Thunder's new head coach would bring a new analytical approach to the Thunder organization. The days of defensive shooting guards who can't shoot threes will be gone under Atkinson. Also, Atkinson will get the most of whoever remains on the Thunder roster after this offseason.

Mark Jackson

Mark Jackson is the coach on this list who has been out of work the longest. Jackson was the former head coach of the Golden State Warriors before their dynasty started. Just like Atkinson, Jackson was fired before getting the chance to coach a championship-caliber team.

In his three seasons as Warriors head coach, Jackson led them to two playoff appearances. Also, Jackson is credited with instilling confidence in the backcourt of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Jackson proclaimed the “Splash Brothers” as the best backcourt of all time before anyone knew it.

Jackson also saw the potential in Draymond Green and allowed him to play more minutes in order to develop. We saw how pivotal Green was in the Warriors small ball that led to three titles.

Bringing Jackson in would provide the Thunder with a great team motivator and someone who can develop young players into stars. Furthermore, a coach that wants to prove that his success in Golden State was no fluke and he deserved another head coaching job sooner.

Jason Kidd

Jason Kidd is somewhat of a risk hiring for Oklahoma City. Kidd, the former head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets has a career coaching record below .500. Another issue is that Kidd's weaknesses as a coach is coming up with creative schemes. But one thing in Kidd's favor is he knows how to handle superstars.

As the assistant coach of the Los Angeles Lakers this season, Kidd coaches the superstar duo of Anthony Davis and Lebron James. Many believe Kidd was the coach the Lakers truly wanted when trying to fulfill their head coaching vacancy this offseason. Giannis Antetokounmpo also developed into an all-star while Kidd was his head coach.

Kidd would be the coaching candidate that directly benefits Gilgeous-Alexander. Not only would Gilgeous-Alexander have played with a future hall of fame point guard in Chris Paul this year, but potentially a Hall of Fame point guard as his coach as well.

All three of these candidates have proven to develop young players into All-Star caliber players. While also building a culture that eventually produces championship contenders for the coach that proceeded them. Of the three Jackson is the one that could lead the Thunder to a championship with the right players on the floor.