Back-To-Back?
After the Thunder secured the top seed in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, people probably should have taken them more seriously. Even so, OKC had a Cinderella story last season. Forget all of the convoluted conversations about small market teams. The fact that a franchise that was firm but patient in their team-building approach, preferring to build through the draft but able to outsource the right talent, was able to secure an NBA title with charismatic but serious players leading the way was epitome of what the league is about.
The question is: can the Thunder go back-to-back, repeating as NBA champions?
Health permitting, they have every chance of making it back to the big show. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren only seem to improve and their top player should still be playing at an MVP level. There is concern that Lu Dort could take a step back as an off-ball threat with only two seasons shooting above 35% in his six-year career.
Nevertheless, Oklahoma City isn’t overly reliant on the 3-ball. Plus, they could turn to Cason Wallace or Alex Caruso more if Dort’s shot isn’t falling consistently. Wallace, one of the better young defenders in the league, is a career 38.9% 3-point shooter. Caruso, who’s among the game’s top defenders, is a career 37.6 % 3-point shooter.
Speaking of the reserve unit, the Thunder should be getting a solid boost from not only Wallace and Caruso but Aaron Wiggins next season. Really, they’re like the Immortals with players like Isaiah Joe and Ajay Mitchell also available in the backcourt. Rookie big man Thomas Sorber‘s injury is a blow to their frontcourt depth even though Isaiah Hartenstein’s an important backup. If one of Jaylin Williams or Ousmane Dieng could breakout, their frontline might be solidified.
