OKC Thunder Prepping for Biggest Season in Years
Despite their relatively short tenure in the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder have fielded some truly exciting squads.
The days of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden garnered worldwide attention. The addition of Paul George, and even Carmelo Anthony, in the offseason of 2017 sent ripples through the league and re-powered the OKC fanbase.
Now, this year’s Thunder squad, headlined by superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and more, are prepping for their biggest season in years.
Following the departure of the team’s longtime superstars — which netted them Gilgeous-Alexander — Oklahoma City looked to replenish it’s talent via the draft. And that it did.
In 2021, Oklahoma City took it’s shot on then 18-year-old Josh Giddey with the sixth overall pick. In 2022, the Thunder grabbed their best pick in year’s rising to No. 2 overall and taking Holmgren. While Holmgren, who seamlessly fills in the team’s gaps with his interior pretense, didn’t play last year, the team still managed to land the Rookie of the Year runner-up in their twelfth pick: Jalen Williams.
On top of those four, the team has continued to bolster it’s ranks through trades and other draft picks. Cason Wallace, Ousmane Dieng, Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe, Vasilije Micic and Jaylin Williams are all set to see decent impact minutes for the team.
Now, OKC officially has its core to move forward with, meaning they'll likely be full speed ahead towards winning games and figuring where they stand in the Western Conference.
All this and more makes Oklahoma City's upcoming season likely the most exciting since the aforementioned acquisition of George six years ago.
Keep in mind, the team is still very likely to be in developmental mode. Giddey is still just 20 years old, Williams and Holmgren are 21 and a host of other players like Cason Wallace, Ousmane Dieng and more are still needing NBA experience.
Even still, Thunder fans have reason now more than ever to be excited about both the direction of the team and the impending season.
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