There’s a Storm Brewing in Oklahoma City: The Thunder’s Rise to Contention
Sports Editor Will Lyons takes a look at the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rebirth as title contenders post Russ and KD.
Following the trades of franchise icon Russell Westbrook and star forward Paul George the Thunder have stepped out of playoff contention into full on title contender status. While many teams get stuck in rebuild status the Sam Presti constructed Thunder are already putting the league on notice. Sending Paul George to the Clippers was the initial move that cemented the team’s bright future.
The Thunder received a King’s ransom for PG:
Clippers received:
F Paul George
Thunder received:
G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
F Danilo Gallinari
Miami Heat’s 2021 unprotected first-rounder (Tre Mann taken at №18)
Clippers’ 2022 unprotected first-rounder (Jalen Williams taken at №12)
Right to 2023 first-round swap with Clippers (not conveyed)
Clippers’ 2024 unprotected first-rounder
Heat’s 2025 protected first-rounder for 1–14 (unprotected for 2026)
Right to 2025 first-round swap with Clippers
Clippers’ 2026 unprotected first-rounder
SGA has elevated his game the last few seasons since receiving the keys to the franchise and has become a legitimate MVP candidate averaging 31.3 PPG, 5.9 APG, 5.2 RPG over the last two seasons. Gilgeous-Alexander was a First Team All-NBA selection last season and has actually improved in multiple facets of the game during the 2023–24 season (league leading 2.2 Steals per game). The start of every team’s championship window is a franchise altering player and the Thunder have certainly found theirs in SGA.
The next major piece of the PG trade that has significantly accelerated the Thunder’s timeline is hitting on the 12th pick in the 2022 draft. Swingman Jalen Williams aka J-Dub was a relative unknown for me when the Thunder drafted him but I quickly became familiar with his game. J-Dub is in his second season in the league and has already become OKC’s second leading scorer at 18.8 PPG. A noteable feat but Williams’s game is very versatile as he hits the boards, defends and passes at a level far beyond his years of experience (4.5 APG). His assist numbers don’t accurately showcase his improvement as a playmaker as he has to share touches with SGA, Giddey, Chet and company but Williams has become a reliable hub of secondary offense and playmaking for the Thunder.
Chet Holmgren is the next piece that secures the future. The 7’1” center is an extremely unique talent in the mold of a unicorn. Victor Wembyama is the only other player above 7 feet that can handle the ball, move, and shoot the way Chet can. Holmgren provides a unique blend of basketball acumen, shooting, rebounding, shot blocking and toughness that has vaulted OKC to the second best record in the Western Conference (1 game behind Minnesota). Chet anchors the Thunder defense, averaging 2.5 blocks per game and many more alterations to the offenses attacks at the basket.
If any of the perimeter players get beat they know that they have a game changing talent behind them to protect the basket. He provides a more mobile defensive impact than a player like multi-time DPOY Rudy Gobert and is way further ahead offensively as well. Missing last season due to a foot injury was a blessing in disguise for Chet and the Thunder. Holmgren spent a full season and two off-seasons under a professional strength program and he got to learn the plays and how his unique skillset can alter games in the Thunder’s favor.
The last components for the Thunder are their list of quality role players like defensive savant Lu Dort, Josh Giddey, sharp shooting Isaiah Joe and rookie Cason Wallace. The team first and always ready approach these players bring to the game blend well with the talents of the franchise centerpieces. Coach Mark Daigneault has a wealth of riches on his hands and he has masterfully crafted a cohesive product on the floor over the team’s first 42 games. Add in the numerous draft picks Sam Presti has at his disposal and OKC can either see how far this young team can take it as is, or swing for the fences and look to acquire difference maker at the power forward position. Either way the fact is the Thunder have both now and next and the league is on notice.
