The Oklahoma City Thunder’s off-season dealings paint a clear picture of what they expect for the upcoming 2023-24 NBA season. After taking a massive step forward last year in reaching the postseason, OKC’s young core of emerging All-Stars and superstars looks to rise even higher after adding two critical role pieces.
Oklahoma City Thunder Off-Season: A Review To Date
OKC’s Off-Season Invites Impact Role Players
The moves made by the Oklahoma City Thunder this off-season weren’t major in terms of star power, but they may be two of the more impactful and noteworthy moves of the summer.
If the Thunder proved anything last year, it was that they are coming, and they’re coming fast. Last season, Canadian superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took a massive step forward in his game and spent much of last season in MVP conversations. Lu Dort is finally receiving the respect he deserves for his defense and overall play. Jalen Williams is a quickly emerging All-Star level player and scoring threat. Chet Holmgren is a monster, and who can deny the excitement of watching Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama duke it out for the next decade?
Still, the Thunder made a couple of practical and important moves this off-season when it came to adding to an already strong roster. Adding defense-capable players who play with energy and tenacity seemed to be on OKC’s radar. Those additions came in the form of Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein. These additions put the Thunder at the top of the list in off-season moves throughout the league.
Key Player Departures
Josh Giddey is the Thunder’s biggest departure this summer. Giddey struggled mightily throughout last season’s postseason. Apart from that, Giddey had been a good player in Oklahoma since coming into the league. However, this summer, he was included in a trade and shipped to the Chicago Bulls.
Other departures included Bismack Biyombo, Mike Muscala, and Gordon Hayward, who recently called an end to his NBA playing career.
Key Player Acquisitions
The return of the Josh Giddey trade was Alex Caruso. Caruso began to make a name for himself with the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom he also won a championship four years ago. Caruso has evolved into an animal on the court. Pesky, in your face, and energetic on both ends of the floor, Caruso was a perfect pick-up for the Thunder. He’s not the most offensively gifted player, but the Thunder didn’t trade for him to be an offensive star. It’s everything else Caruso brings that OKC needed this off-season.
The Knicks took a major hit when Isaiah Hartenstein left in free agency to join OKC. Everything the Knicks lost Hartenstein; the Thunder gained. He was exceptional in New York’s playoff run last season. His rebounding and defensive efforts shone the brightest. Whether he starts alongside Holmgren in Oklahoma City or comes off the bench, Hartenstein will be an impactful addition, no matter what.
A Bright Future for OKC Starts Now
Gilgeous-Alexander is a bonafide superstar already, and yet still so young. Oklahoma City’s core is ripe with young, talented players who kept the Thunder at the top of the Western Conference last season. Adding Caruso and Hartenstein only benefits the organization in its rise to the top of the league as a top-tier team. The future is certainly looking pretty good, and a top-notch off-season puts OKC in contention next season.
