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 team in NBA historical past to earn a prime seed. OKC responded by including two key veterans and in any other case working it again with their younger core. Because the workforce takes on the unfamiliar function as favorites, listed below are three questions for the Thunder.
Will Isaiah Hartenstein clear up the workforce’s rebounding points?
Oklahoma Metropolis had the fourth-fewest rebounds within the NBA final 12 months, although that quantity is just a little misleading. The Thunder have been third in field-goal share and first in three-point share and it is exhausting to get a whole lot of offensive rebounds when the workforce is not lacking photographs. Nonetheless, the Thunder have been eradicated within the Western Convention semifinals by the Dallas Mavericks in a recreation the place they blew a 17-point lead, thanks partially to giving up six offensive rebounds within the closing eight minutes.
The usually undersized Thunder — 6-foot-5 Jalen Williams played an estimated 83% of his minutes at energy ahead — obtained a lot greater this offseason after they signed heart Isaiah Hartenstein to a three-year, $87M contract in July. Hartenstein was fifth within the NBA with 244 offensive rebounds final season and gives inside dimension to counter groups just like the Mavericks and Denver Nuggets.
He’ll possible begin alongside Chet Holmgren, a 7-foot-1 massive man whose scoring contact (37% on 4.3 threes per recreation) might enable him to play subsequent to Hartenstein. The workforce 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 taking part in small ahead this season, which can push defensive ace Lugentz Dort to the bench. The workforce swapped Josh Giddey for All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso this summer season 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 12 months Mark Daigneault goes to need to handle taking part in time and egos all season. The Thunder confirmed outstanding unity all season in 2023-24, with the entire workforce regularly 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 workforce 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 heart and Giddey was due for a rooke extension. However the workforce’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 season, value $294 million for 4 years. That is additionally when Holmgren and Williams can signal their very own rookie extensions. If the workforce desires to amass a dear, game-changing participant (maybe utilizing their massive hoard of draft picks) that is the time to do it.
