30 Teams in 30 Days: Thunder reload after first-place finish last season
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and the Thunder look poised to build off last season’s success.
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. The Thunder came up short in the playoffs, falling to Dallas in the Western Conference semifinals, the only nitpick on an otherwise solid season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was superb, averaging 30.1 points per game (on 53.5% shooting) while developing into a strong passer (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 well worth the one-year wait from his injury-delayed rookie season. His shooting range for his size and defensive instincts made him a “unicorn” of sorts. With Hartenstein around to provide muscle, Holmgren might enjoy even more freedom this season, especially 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.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s continued ascent as a top-5 talent will be crucial, but the surrounding cast could determine whether this team reaches the NBA Finals or again falls short. Everything is in place for a team that should rank among the best in the league on both ends of the floor — and a team that’s young and built to last.
Up next: Denver Nuggets | Previously: Toronto Raptors
30 Teams in 30 Days: Complete schedule
* * *
Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Warner Bros. Discovery.
