The Oklahoma City Thunder are in a position to make a run at the NBA championship this season. However, they could be facing a long rebuild if they don’t find success in the offseason.
The okc thunder trade rumors are the most popular topic in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2021 NBA offseason.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are in the middle of a major reorganization as they try to create a youthful core. Over the last several seasons, they’ve dealt away their studs in exchange for a slew of draft choices.
The Thunder finished 22-50 last season, enough for 14th place in the Western Conference. Sam Presti, the general manager, has spent the past several years assembling a youthful core, and this offseason was no exception.
Russell Westbrook and Paul George, among others, have been moved away from the Thunder in recent years. The Thunder most recently traded Al Horford, Moses Brown, and a second-round selection to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Kemba Walker, a first-round pick, and a second-round pick. Walker subsequently signed a contract with the New York Knicks when the Thunder agreed to a buyout.
The Thunder were aggressive in the draft, bringing in a slew of youthful talent. Josh Giddey, Tre Mann, Aaron Wiggins, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl were all selected, and they also acquired the rights to Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. The Thunder’s greatest move was to sign star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to a five-year, $172 million contract extension. The squad will be led by Gilgeous-Alexander, who will be surrounded by a youthful core.
The Thunder are off to a fantastic start in their reconstruction, but they still have a long way to go.
Thunder’s postseason grade is a B.
The Thunder may not be a competitive club this season, but they have a talented roster. This season will be focused on forming the team’s core and developing players. This season, Gilgeous-Alexander has a chance to make his first All-Star appearance, and the Thunder have youthful talent to complement him.
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 23.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game last season. On 4.9 shots per game, he shot 41.8 percent from beyond the arc. He had shot 34.7 percent the previous season, so this was a significant improvement.
Gilgeous-Alexander can now develop with the rest of the youthful core thanks to his new extension.
Breakdown of the draft
Josh Giddey is the Thunder’s most eagerly anticipated draft pick. Giddey was selected sixth overall in the draft and is a fantastic all-around athlete. Last season, he was a member of the NBL Australia league, where he averaged 10.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. Even in his first season, Giddey is poised to be a valuable player for the Thunder.
Tre Mann was the Thunder’s next draft selection, coming in at number 18. Mann was a fantastic performer for the Florida Gators during his second season. Mann averaged 16 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game last season. He also hit 40.2 percent from three-point range on 4.7 attempts per game. Mann should contribute to the Thunder’s offense this season as a scorer off the bench.
Following Mann’s selection, the Thunder acquired Jeremiah Robinson-rights Earl’s via a trade. This season, Robinson-Earl should be a reliable backup forward. Robinson-Earl averaged 15.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game for Villanova last season. The Thunder have a lot of youthful talent, so it’s unclear how much time Robinson-Earl will get on the court. He has to make the most of every opportunity to go on the court and show his value.
Aaron Wiggins was the Thunder’s final selection in the draft. He was selected with the 55th overall selection in the draft, and he will struggle to get playing time. This season, Wiggins will compete for a roster place and may spend time in the G-League. Last season at Maryland, he averaged 14.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. It was his most successful campaign in college, as he demonstrated his abilities.
The Thunder were quite aggressive in the draft, and they have a lot of young talent. The Thunder may not be competitive for a few years, but they are on the right road.
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2021 NBA offseason will be a big one. They have a lot of decisions to make and not much time to make them in. Reference: thunder draft rumors 2021.
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