Everyone can agree that Oklahoma City has one of many brightest futures within the NBA. The projection for the upcoming season, nevertheless, appears to be quite a bit much less sure.
Experts, and Vegas, assume OKC goes to be one of many worst groups within the NBA, plain and easy. The Thunder’s over-under win complete was set at 25.5, which could appear affordable. But, final yr’s squad received 24 video games. Not solely did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey miss vital enjoying time, however Oklahoma City additionally added the No. 2 decide within the NBA draft.
The NBA acquired higher collectively throughout the board, and there’s probably the most parity we’ve seen across the league in years. But even nonetheless, assuming SGA and Giddey make it the size of the season, you’d need to count on the added star energy will equal multiple further win for the Thunder.
The Thunder had been lower than aggressive at instances final season, however the greatest obvious gap was within the entrance court docket. Sam Presti addressed these wants within the draft, too, with Holmgren and Jaylin Williams out of Arkansas. Now, with a constant rotation, the Thunder might be a extra full workforce.
What’s tough about predicting Oklahoma City’s upcoming season, is that it’s unclear which course the Thunder are dedicated to going. If Gilgeous-Alexander and Giddey play a full season alongside the No. 2 decide, in fact OKC goes to have extra on-court success subsequent season. But it additionally wouldn’t be surprising if the Thunder shifted to growth in hopes of reaching for the highest decide within the 2023 NBA Draft, Victor Wembenyama.
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Presti has defined his thought course of on a number of events, saying he plans to let the Thunder play it out and see what they’ve initially of the season. If issues go awry, it looks like the brass will do no matter is finest for the workforce’s long-term future.
Ultimately, the fan base appears to be cut up on what Oklahoma City ought to do. Does the Thunder have already got sufficient expertise to develop on the roster to compete for a championship down the road? That’s the million greenback query.
Whichever course Presti chooses to go, it’s arduous for me to ascertain Oklahoma City not bettering subsequent yr. It’s extraordinarily unlikely for the Thunder to develop up in a season and make a run on the playoffs, however hovering across the play-in dialog on the finish of the season doesn’t appear out of the query.
Because so many groups are gunning for the playoffs, it’s an awesome season for the Thunder to develop chemistry and court docket time between the younger stars. Realistically, the Oklahoma City’s ceiling might be proper round 35-to-40 video games.
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