Projecting Oklahoma City’s 2023 NBA Draft Positioning

Oklahoma Metropolis basic supervisor Sam Presti was clear this low season that he’s going to permit this Thunder roster to completely compete and see the place they’re at. From that judgement, the group’s brass can determine the overarching route of the season.

OKC is presently projected to be one of many NBA’s worst groups, based on Vegas. The Thunder have the fourth-to-last worst odds to win the NBA Finals, solely beating out Houston, Orlando and San Antonio. When the season is all stated and executed, might Oklahoma Metropolis actually find yourself with top-five draft odds?

Final season, the Thunder gained simply 24 video games. When Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey had been within the lineup, the group was way more aggressive and gained some spectacular video games early on. Because the season wore on although, the random accidents began to take a toll, and the Thunder’s sparse roster noticed the losses pile up. The choice was simple for Presti, as Oklahoma Metropolis selected to remain cautious with their star gamers and attempt to safe a high draft decide.

If the Thunder let the lineup unfastened in the course of the first few months of the season, what is going to the on-court manufacturing seem like? It’s simple to assume there will likely be a soar in expertise stage as Oklahoma Metropolis added a star in Chet Holmgren and a direct rotation piece with Jalen Williams. Gilgeous-Alexander, Giddey and Lu Dort can even be absolutely wholesome after one other low season of enchancment.

The rotation down the road is loads stronger, too, making it laborious for the Thunder to decide to dropping down the stretch. Oklahoma Metropolis rested gamers like Aleksej Pokusevski over the previous few weeks of the season, however gained’t be capable to make strikes like that as usually anymore. The again finish of the bench now has good items and prospects that would make an impression on any given night time.

Whereas the NBA has undoubtedly improved throughout the board, the Victor Wembenyama sweepstakes are an actual factor. There will likely be loads of groups that make a late run for the generational expertise.

It’s unrealistic to recommend the Thunder make a soar to the playoffs. It’s nonetheless a younger roster with loads of holes. There’s a number of growth on the horizon. However many groups contending for Wembenyama is not going to have a participant of the identical caliber as Gilgeous-Alexander. Different groups might falter early, just like the Pacers, who missed out on DeAndre Ayton, or the Kings, who’re hoping that is lastly the 12 months. Even groups just like the Wizards are a Bradley Beal damage away from selecting within the high ten. The Hornets are a sneaky participant within the lottery in the event that they want to pair LaMelo Ball with one other star.

The purpose is, there are many variables to go together with the upcoming season. If Oklahoma Metropolis can keep wholesome and decide to trip it out, it’s laborious to see them selecting at No. 5 subsequent June. The lottery continues to be affordable and anticipated, however a top-five decide would require some critical missed time from a high star. Because the season performs out, the route might turn out to be extra clear, however on paper, this Thunder group appears to have way more expertise than in years previous.

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