The Oklahoma City Thunder haven’t tried winning basketball games in a few seasons. They opted to go into a deep rebuild following the 2019-20 NBA season despite the heroics of Chris Paul, leading them to the postseason.
Head coach Billy Donovan was also relieved of his duties following that season. The subsequent two seasons have been about asset collection and losing games for the Thunder. They have a treasure trove of draft picks as they have focused more on compiling assets than improving the roster.
That began to change this offseason as they did splurge in free agency. They signed Kenrich Williams and Lu Dort to long-term deals this offseason, presumably making them part of the long-term core going forward.
The only player that had cemented himself as part of their future thus far was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He signed a max rookie extension, which kicks in this season, but that hasn’t stopped people from speculating that he will be on the move sooner than later.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
After Donovan Mitchell and Dejounte Murray were traded this season, people began debating about who the next young player with All-Star potential could be traded. Many people believe it to be Gilgeous-Alexander, as Sam Presti has never turned down a deal that results in acquiring draft capital.
However, Gilgeous-Alexander’s confidence in the franchise is unshaken despite how many losses the team has piled up over the last two seasons. He believes that winning basketball will be back in Oklahoma City soon.
“I know what I signed up for when I signed a 5-year extension… and I don’t think we’re gonna be losing for much longer.”
“I believe in this team”
Gilgeous-Alexander could certainly be correct. Josh Giddey has immense potential as his backcourt mate and the team did select Chet Holmgren No. 2 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, his first season in the NBA is over before it began as he suffered a Lisfranc injury in a Seattle Pro-Am game.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
That injury will likely lead to the Thunder tanking one more time, as they have had their sights set on the top of the 2023 NBA Draft board, where Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson are thought of as blue-chip prospects.
If the Thunder can add one of them to their core, the losing should stop shortly after as they would have one of the best young cores in the league.
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