Season 2023-24: 57-25
Highlight: Chet Holmgren was so good right away, providing the Thunder with a legitimate big three so early in their process.
How it ended
Without sad faces in the front office. This year was an excellent performance for a roster this young, and the Thunder gained invaluable playoff experience before heading into the next season with higher expectations and a likely improved roster. We’ll find out.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander proved that last season wasn’t just a brief peak, but instead his new normal. His 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2 steals on 53.5% shooting from the field paints an accurate picture of a 25-year-old superstar who is becoming one of the most devastating two-way forces in the world become. League.
Gilgeous-Alexander took over as the main playmaker this season, with the ball passing mainly through his hands and without the attack stagnating or developing into a heliocentric concept. That’s thanks in large part to the help of head coach Mark Daigneault, whose emphasis on ball movement and play design ensures the Thunder have a player who can put up monstrous numbers without sacrificing teammates’ touches or opportunities.
Part of their success is also due to Jalen Williams, who seems content whether he’s scoring 12 or 25 points every night. The all-round winger is capable of playing in multiple positions, defending at a high level and has no problem matching the attention paid to Gilgeous-Alexander or Holmgren.
The Thunder are in that sweet spot before the roster becomes extraordinarily expensive, led by the rookie contracts of Holmgren and Williams, who both have two years left before future extensions kick in.
Because of that salary structure TheThunder need to strike this summer by adding talent to match the big three so they can make a real bid for the title next season.
Greatest need out of season
Although the Thunder had the best three-point efficiency in the league, they ranked just 16th in attempts. They need a high-volume 3-point shooter who can launch 8-10 per game while embracing an off-ball role. Portland’s Anfernee Simons comes to mind as a player who could help the Thunder become the most dominant offensive team in the league in the coming years.
Concept focus
Sam Presti and staff have done a great job building options around Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren. The young OKC roster is filled with versatile playmakers over 6 feet tall and tall players who can guard multiple positions. French forward Tidjane Salaün or Baylor 6-5 shooting guard Ja’Kobe Walter are two possibilities. A fan favorite would have to be Colorado’s Cody Williams, younger brother of Jalen Williams. –Kristen Peek
Concept choice: No. 12
Salary cap analysis
The Thunder traded for Gordon Hayward and his expiring contract at the deadline. If the Thunder relinquish his rights, and therefore his assets of more than $47 million, they would have to spend more than $30 million. There could be more if they decide to move on from Josh Giddey, who only seems to be effective when the ball is in his hands.
That’s a good flexibility to have after a 57-win season, and with your core still intact. It allows them to either go shopping in free agency or incorporate player contracts into their cap space via trade.
Keyless agents
No
Next season’s goal
With the right summer moves and projected health, there’s no reason to think the Thunder couldn’t win it all, and that should be their goal without a doubt. The bar is high, but that’s the point.
What can move the fantasy needle
The Thunder are building one of the most promising rosters in the league. While a second-round exit is disappointing, they are loaded with draft picks, cap space and young stars. Gilgeous-Alexander is a consensus top-five pick (probably top three), and Holmgren is on a late first- and early second-round trajectory. Jalen Williams is showing a similar trend and will likely go in the third or fourth draft round, which is a few rounds better than his ADP from ’23-24.
The area of opportunity lies in Giddey trading. His role diminished as the season progressed and declined further in the playoffs. His playing skills are redundant, so OKC should trade him before he becomes a free agent in 2025.
There’s no need to give Giddey an extension now that Cason Wallace is ready to get more minutes, or because OKC might spend money on a big free agent who can provide more perimeter shooting and defense. I would also expect the Thunder to go after a big man to strengthen their frontcourt. They are vastly underpowered inside, so an upgrade to Jaylin Williams would give them more rim protection and rebound.
That said, it will be an exciting offseason, and we may see Presti put in some chips to take OKC to the next level. – Dan Titus
