OKC Thunder Frontcourt Still Up in the Air Heading into 2023-24 Season
We’re just a month and some change out from the 2023-24 NBA regular season, and there’s still some pretty major questions marks surrounding the Oklahoma City Thunder’s roster.
To preface, the team is going to be better. While it may not necessarily result in more wins or a better Western Conference placing, the addition of No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren, as well as recent lottery pick Cason Wallace and draft-and-stash guard Vasilije Micic are certain to make the team better.
Despite that, there’s still a question as to who will fill in the front court next to Holmgren.
Jalen Williams, per his rookie season, is sure to guard fours at times in the team’s small-ball, four-guard lineup, which they’re set to roll out potentially more than any other.
But that’s not necessarily Holmgren’s official front court pairing.
While Luguentz Dort has been a staple of the Thunder starting lineup for the past several seasons, that’s not exactly a given with the team’s blossom of talent over the offseason.
Dort of course provides high-level defense on the NBA’s toughest stars night in and night out. But there’s going to be times that it’s more optimal for Oklahoma City to roll out bigger lineups. And with names like Williams, Josh Giddey and more peppering the starting lineup, Dort could very well be the odd man out.
In that case, Oklahoma City is going to have options.
Kenrich Williams, an undersized defensive stalwart who has dominated most on-off metrics in his time with OKC, is a strong option. As is Holmgren’s fellow 2022 draftee Jaylin Williams, who moonlights as the team’s starting center for the better half of his rookie season.
There’s also potential options in Aleksej Pokusevski and Ousmane Dieng, both of which are long shots at this point in their career, but could still offer vastly different looks as smooth forwards with perimeter-oriented games.
Whoever OKC frequents at the “four” spot when they need isn’t subject to the rules of traditional power forwards. But it could be a look into the future of the team.
Regardless, Holmgren's defensive impact is sure to make it easier on whoever's helping him take on bigger assignments.
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