The longer term arrived early for the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder in 2023-24. They went from the draft lottery to the highest seed within the Western Convention, the youngest crew in NBA historical past to earn a prime seed. OKC responded by including two key veterans and in any other case operating it again with their younger core. Because the crew takes on the unfamiliar function as favorites, listed below are three questions for the Thunder.
Will Isaiah Hartenstein resolve the crew’s rebounding points?
Oklahoma Metropolis had the fourth-fewest rebounds within the NBA final yr, although that quantity is a little bit misleading. The Thunder have been third in field-goal share and first in three-point share and it is laborious to get a whole lot of offensive rebounds when the crew is not lacking photographs. Nonetheless, the Thunder have been eradicated within the Western Convention semifinals by the Dallas Mavericks in a sport the place they blew a 17-point lead, thanks partly to giving up six offensive rebounds within the ultimate eight minutes.
The usually undersized Thunder — 6-foot-5 Jalen Williams performed an estimated 83% of his minutes at energy ahead — bought a lot greater this offseason after they signed middle Isaiah Hartenstein to a three-year, $87M contract in July. Hartenstein was fifth within the NBA with 244 offensive rebounds final season and supplies inside measurement to counter groups just like the Mavericks and Denver Nuggets.
He’ll possible begin alongside Chet Holmgren, a 7-foot-1 large man whose scoring contact (37% on 4.3 threes per sport) might permit him to play subsequent to Hartenstein. The crew hopes there’s nonetheless sufficient spacing with a double-center lineup to maintain the offense buzzing and nonetheless dominate the glass.
How will the wing rotation shake out?
Williams will possible spend extra time enjoying small ahead this season, which can push defensive ace Lugentz Dort to the bench. The crew swapped Josh Giddey for All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso this summer time and the rotation additionally contains second-year level guard Cason Wallace, three-point ace Isaiah Joe and the newly prolonged Aaron Wiggins.
Too many high quality wing gamers is a pleasant drawback to have, one which many of the different NBA groups would envy. However with so many gamers competing for minutes, reigning Coach of the Yr Mark Daigneault goes to must handle enjoying time and egos all season. The Thunder confirmed outstanding unity all season in 2023-24, with the entire crew usually crashing their teammates’ postgame interviews. Nonetheless, anytime gamers are battling for time — and the prospect at their subsequent contract — there’s potential for discord.
Does the crew make a giant commerce?
Oklahoma Metropolis has been remarkably affected person with its proficient younger core. Even signing Hartenstein and buying and selling for Caruso have been pretty measured offers, because the Thunder had the cap room so as to add the Knicks middle and Giddey was due for a rooke extension. However the crew’s window of competing with a tiny payroll is about to shut.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the runner-up within the MVP race this previous season, is eligible for a large contract extension subsequent summer time, value $294 million for 4 years. That is additionally when Holmgren and Williams can signal their very own rookie extensions. If the crew desires to accumulate a dear, game-changing participant (maybe utilizing their huge hoard of draft picks) that is the time to do it.
