Storylines to Follow Throughout Oklahoma City’s Preseason Slate

The preseason is an attention-grabbing time for NBA storylines. All through camp and exhibition video games, the joy is all the time so excessive, however the motion nonetheless appears distant. With a younger and enhancing staff, that hasn’t performed within the postseason in two years, followers are craving basketball much more.

Oklahoma Metropolis’s preseason slate kicks off the primary week of October, however it’s not too early to look a number of weeks forward. Mark Daigneault nearly actually received’t distribute taking part in time like he would throughout the common season, particularly contemplating the accidents which have piled up over the past two seasons. Totally different lineups and low-stake exhibition video games could possibly be two issues Oklahoma Metropolis wants heading right into a roster crunch.

When the Thunder tackle the Dallas Mavericks to open the preliminary slate on Oct. 3, there will likely be gamers utilizing preseason performances for roster positioning. These exhibition video games will completely matter for anybody close to the tip of the bench, and with added accountability, these video games now matter for second and third 12 months guys vying for minutes. Listed here are a number of storylines I’ll be following as issues tip off:

Wing Minutes

I’m very excited about who comes off the bench for the Thunder this season. Between Kenrich Williams, Aaron Wiggins and Jalen Williams, Oklahoma Metropolis has three slashing wings that every one most likely should play.

Relying on the place rookie Ousmane Dieng matches greatest, he could possibly be thrown into this class as nicely for the Thunder. With Williams being a gifted lottery decide, he’s gonna get his probability. However the preseason is a good time for somebody like Wiggins to remind the Thunder he nonetheless wants his minutes.

Level Guard State of affairs

Oklahoma Metropolis missed out on precious chemistry growth when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey every missed time down the stretch. Earlier than the duo went down, it appeared like they had been lastly discovering some chemistry.

Now, after an offseason of development, the Thunder’s two stars could have added strain to make it work. I’ll be following Gilgeous-Alexander’s off-ball development, in addition to the way in which that Giddey and SGA play off of one another throughout the offense.

The Rookies

Regardless that Chet Holmgren received’t be taking part in, the Thunder have some thrilling younger weapons to be enthusiastic about. Jalen Williams may find yourself being one of many steal’s of the draft and appears to slot in completely with OKC’s core. Watching him share the ground with Gilgeous-Alexander throughout the preseason is one thing I’m excited to see.

Ousmane Dieng can even demand courtroom time together with his intrigue and potential. If he’s additional alongside than projected it could possibly be a enjoyable season for Thunder followers. Oklahoma Metropolis additionally drafted Arkansas’s Jaylin Williams within the second spherical, and with Holmgren’s damage, the Thunder may want further entrance courtroom assist.

The Thunder tip-off preseason on Monday, Oct. 3, at 8 p.m. in Denver towards the Nuggets.

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