Despite Improved Roster, Western Conference Could Prove to be a Gauntlet for OKC Thunder

Despite adding key pieces in Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace, the Western Conference has only gotten better alongside Oklahoma City.

There’s no question Oklahoma City will be a more talented club in the 2023-24 season.

Simply by adding Chet Holmgren — former Gonzaga forward and No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 draft, who fills nearly every size-adjacent hole the Thunder have — that much is apparent. And that’s not mentioning the addition of lottery pick Cason Wallace, who is sure to add an infusion of stout off-ball defense, playmaking and ball-handling.

On top of that, internal development should continue to have a massive effect on one of the league’s youngest teams, especially in regards to players like Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, Ousmane Dieng, Jaylin Williams and more.

And if that isn’t enough, the hopeful return from injury for players like Kenrich Williams and Aleksej Pokusevkski is icing on the cake.

At first glance, it would appear OKC is ready to take a big jump in the standings. But looking beyond the surface level, the Western Conference seems to have gotten better alongside the budding Thunder squad.

In the last few weeks, Western Conference teams have continued to bolster their lineups, with the Suns adding former Eastern Conference All-Star Bradley Beal, Chris Paul getting added to the Warriors via Washington and Memphis plugging in Marcus Smart to their already strong defensive ranks.

The west’s bottom teams — San Antonio, Portland and Houston — all added top draft talents in the generational Victor Wembanyama, longtime pro Scoot Henderson and high-flying Amen Thompson, respectively. And internal development is sure to do a number on teams like those, too.

Suffice to say, it won’t be easy for Oklahoma City to make the highly sought after Playoffs this season. And for that matter, it may be hard even to match last season’s record, despite the obvious infusion of talent the team has headed its way.

But one thing is certain: Oklahoma City, led by budding superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is sure to be competitive and in the mix as they continue to put together one of the more exciting rosters in the league.

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