Last season, the Oklahoma City Thunder got some bad news before heading into the 2022-23 campaign, with No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren suffering a season-ending injury, ending his rookie year before it began.
Despite the absence of Holmgren, the Thunder became a team on the rise in the Western Conference, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander becoming a legitimate superstar in this league while Josh Giddey has proven he’s the real deal.
Fortunately, the Thunder will get Holmgren back in the mix to start the 2023-24 NBA season, and he’ll be a welcome addition alongside fellow rookie Cason Wallace, which will only improve this team’s play on the defensive end of the floor, via Brandon Rahbar of Daily Thunder.
Thunder finished #12 in defensive rating despite being the youngest team in the NBA.
Next season OKC will add two rookies to the rotation.
Arguably the best rim protector of the 2022 draft class and the best perimeter defender of the 2023 draft class. pic.twitter.com/sdTvfcTonZ
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) June 27, 2023
Although the team isn’t getting a lot of buzz right now as a potential playoff contender next season, Oklahoma City has put together a solid squad over the last few years, with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way as the team’s undisputed leader.
The combination of Gilgeous-Alexander, Giddey, Holmgren, Wallace, Luguentz Dort, and Jalen Williams could easily be a playoff team at the season’s end if they’re able to stay healthy.
Gilgeous-Alexander can take the next step in his path to superstardom, while Giddey may prove to be one of the better backcourt players in the league and Holmgren shows what his potential is when finally healthy.
The sky is the limit for the Thunder, as Sam Presti and company may have finally found the right pieces to get Oklahoma City back into the playoff mix in the West.
NEXT: Odds Reveal The Hype Surrounding Chet Holmgren Once Again
