The 2024-25 Oklahoma City Thunder’s Season Preview
September 24th, 2024
by Alan Lu
The Oklahoma City Thunder had a solid season last year, as they made big strides to really emerge as one of the best teams in the league. They won 57 games in the regular season, and they received strong seasons from superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as well as from Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. Then, the Thunder managed to sweep the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round series of the 2024 playoffs. However, they stumbled in their second round series, as they ended up losing to the Dallas Mavericks in six games, and they could not stop either Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving.
This season, the Thunder traded Josh Giddey and landed Alex Caruso to bolster their defense, and they managed to sign Isaiah Hartenstein to bolster their interior for the upcoming season. As the Thunder are bringing back many of the same players and added Caruso and Hartenstein, the Thunder should be one of the best teams in the NBA for the 2024-25 season.
Chet Holmgren and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have helped lead the Thunder to become a formidable NBA team in this league. (Photo: Alonzo Adams/USA Today Sports, via Yardbarker)
Star Players:
G-F Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, F-C Chet Holmgren, and G-F Jalen Williams
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander really burst onto the scene last year to have a fantastic season. He is a tremendously skilled guard that operates well at the point and off the ball, and he did a great job of scoring and playing a strong all-around game. He’s developed into being one of the best players in the NBA, and the Canadian superstar is currently an elite player in the league.
Chet Holmgren had a tremendous rookie season, and he is a very athletic big man that showed off strong rim protection skills and very underrated offensive skills, as he also showed off a solid outside shot, handles, and playmaking skills. He’s appeared to have bulked up and added muscle to his frame since getting hurt prior to the start of the 2022-23 season, and Holmgren has shown that he is a rising star in the NBA landscape.
Jalen Williams had a very good sophomore season in the NBA, as he’s shown off strong offensive skills, and has been a plus-level defender in this league. He’s been a very underrated member of the Thunder, and the Thunder are expected to build upon their successful 2024 season.
Additions:
G Alex Caruso, C Isaiah Hartenstein, G-F Nikola Topic, and G-F Dillon Jones
Alex Caruso is a terrific defender, and he is a defensive pest that will fortify the team’s defense, especially out on the perimeter, and he also will provide strong playmaking skills and a solid outside shot. Isaiah Hartenstein really excelled as an energetic interior player for the Knicks last year, and the Thunder rewarded him by offering a hefty payday in the form of a 3-year, $87 million deal. They also added some talented rookies that could challenge for playing time on a loaded Thunder team this season.
Subtractions:
G-F Josh Giddey, F Gordon Hayward, G-F Lindy Waters III, C Mike Muscala, and C Bismack Biyombo
The Thunder lost a tall skilled playmaker in Josh Giddey, as they lose a point forward that moves the ball well. They also lost a veteran in Hayward, although he was a massive disappointment for them in the playoffs, as he went scoreless in seven postseason games in 2024. They also lost a sharpshooter in Waters in free agency, as well as a couple of backup centers from their roster. However, with the depth and talent they have, they should have more than enough to make back the losses for the upcoming season.
Rookies:
G-F Nikola Topic, G-F Dillon Jones, G Ajay Mitchell, F Alex Ducas, and F Malevy Leons
Nikola Topic is an agile, skilled playmaker that excels at making plays offensively at the point of attack, but he is currently out due to a knee injury, and he may miss most or all of the upcoming season. He projects to be a solid player in this league, but he’ll need to improve his outside shot and defense. Dillon Jones is a versatile point forward that can rebound, distribute the ball, and defend, but he also will need to improve his jump shot.
Ajay Mitchell is an agile, skilled playmaker that has shown an improved outside shot, and he had a strong showing at the Las Vegas Summer League. In addition, Ducas is a sharpshooting rookie forward, and Leons is a defensive minded forward that projects into a 3 and D role in the NBA.
Expected Rotation:
Isaiah Hartenstein had a breakout season with the Knicks last year, and he will team up with Chet Holmgren and company to give the Thunder a strong defensive unit for the upcoming season.
(Photo: Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post)
Projected Starting Lineup:
The Thunder have a very talented group that is led by one of the best players in the NBA in Shai-Gilgeous Alexander. Chet Holmgren is coming off a tremendous rookie season, and he’s already turned himself into one of the best young stars in the league. Jalen Williams also really excelled in his role for the Thunder. Luguentz Dort and Hartenstein will provide strong defense to aid their team for the upcoming season.
F Lu Dort
Key Bench Players:
Once upon a time, Alex Caruso tried out for the Thunder all the way back in 2016. Now he’s back, to aid them for the 2024-25 NBA season. (Photo: Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press, via Norman Transcript)
The Thunder have a crew of very solid, bench players, and they received a big boost by being able to land a veteran defensive stalwart in Alex Caruso to help their team this season. Cason Wallace had a very good rookie season, and Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins also are very good bench players that should really help the Thunder’s second unit.
G-F Aaron Wiggins
The Rest of the Roster:
G-F Nikola Topic
G-F Dillon Jones
G Ajay Mitchell (Two-Way)
G Adam Flagler (Two-Way)
F Alex Ducas (Two-Way)
Others in Camp:
F Malevy Leons (Exhibit 10)
G-F Buddy Boeheim (Exhibit 10)
Team Options at the End of the 2025 Season:
Here I will project the likelihood of the Oklahoma City Thunder to pick up and accept or decline the team options for various players at the end of the 2025 season.
Chet Holmgren – Team Option Will Likely Be Accepted (100% Certainty)
Jalen Williams – Team Option Will Likely Be Accepted (100% Certainty)
Cason Wallace – Team Option Will Likely Be Accepted (100% Certainty)
Jaylin Williams – Team Option Will Likely Be Accepted (90% Certainty)
Ousmane Dieng – Team Option Will Likely Be Declined (70%-80% Certainty)
Head Coach:
Mark Daigneault led his team to get the first seed in the Western Conference, and he was named Coach of the Year in 2024. (Photo: Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press, via Inquirer Sports – Inquirer.Net)
Mark Daigneault
2023-24 (OKC): 57-25, 6-4 in the Playoffs
Coaching Career: 143-175, 6-4 in the NBA Playoffs
Daigneault is a young head coach that helped the Thunder far exceed expectations, but then they ended up losing to the Dallas Mavericks in the second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, which may have surprised some. Still, he is an up-and-comer that did a very good job of coaching the Thunder overall, and they will look to take the next step and possibly reach the NBA Finals this season.
NBA Head Coach Rank: 6
Outlook:
Isaiah Hartenstein, Jalen Williams, and Lu Dort will be key contributors to the 2024-25 Oklahoma City Thunder’s team this season. (Photo: Getty Images, via Sporting News)
The Thunder could be poised to make another big leap, as they have the talent and the depth to make a deep run in the playoffs in 2025. They are still rather inexperienced, but they’ve added some more veterans to help them, and while it will still very much be a battle for them in the postseason, the Thunder certainly should be able to go far this season, especially with the abundance of talent they have up and down their roster.
Projected 2024-25 Finish:
Expected Win-Loss Record: 55-27
Projected Regular Season Finish: 1st in the Western Conference
Expected Playoff Finish: Projected to lose in the NBA Finals
Preseason NBA Power Ranking: 2
I went to Basketball-Reference and SalarySwish to look up some information for this write-up. It will be an exciting basketball season this year, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the season will unfold. Anyways, that is my write-up on my preview of the 2024-25 Oklahoma City Thunder. Thanks for reading.