Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Oklahoma City made key additions this summer after a dominant 2023-24 season.
Offseason
Re-signing: Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins
Additions: Alex Caruso (trade), Isaiah Hartenstein (free agent)
Draft: Nikola Topic (No. 12 pick), Dillon Jones (No. 26), Ajay Mitchell (No. 38)
Departures: Josh Giddey (to Bulls), Lindy Waters III (to Warriors), Gordon Hayward (retired)
Unsigned Free Agents: Bismack Biyombo, Keyontae Johnson, Mike Muscala, Olivier Sarr
LAST SEASON
OKC won 57 games, seized the top seed – becoming the youngest team, at an average age of 24 years, to ever do so – and saw its star become a Kia MVP finalist. Those are three major achievements for a franchise that announced its arrival very loudly. If there was a nitpick to an otherwise solid season, it came in the playoffs when the Thunder fell to Dallas in the Western Conference semifinals.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was brilliant, averaging 30.1 points per game on 53.5% shooting, while developing into a strong passer at 6.2 assists per game. Improvements from Jalen Williams and rookie Chet Holmgren meant the Thunder had three respected players, making it no surprise Mark Daigneault was voted Coach of the Year.
SUMMER SUMMARY
Hartenstein is only the biggest free agent addition in franchise history – Patrick Patterson held those honors previously, which tells you plenty about OKC’s lack of magnetism. It was a major coup for a team needing interior toughness and a rebounder.
As for Caruso, he’s a defensive-minded guard with an improving 3-point range. The cost of doing business with Chicago was parting with Giddey, but he fell out of favor anyway. OKC added a pair of quality players without dipping into its stash of future first-round draft capital, another big win for GM Sam Presti.
SPOTLIGHT ON
Holmgren was worth the one-year wait from his injury-delayed rookie season. The shooting range for his size and defensive instincts made him that sort of “unicorn.” With Hartenstein around to provide muscle, Holmgren may even enjoy more freedom this season, particularly away from the post. In a realistic best-case scenario, he’ll flirt with an All-Star berth in February.
How far can the Thunder go?
Once again, Presti proved he’s one of the very best executives in the business, with a trade and free agent signing that could put this emerging contender over the top in 2024-25. OKC is suddenly flush with talent and depth; every major role is filled, and no serious flaws are seen.
It is the continued rise of Gilgeous-Alexander into a top-5 player in the league, but it’s everything surrounding him that may make the difference between this team making it to the NBA Finals or not. Everything is set up for a team to be among the best in the league on both ends of the floor and one that is young and built to last.
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