The Oklahoma City Thunder have, perhaps, the brightest future among all teams in the league.
On top of a never-ending stock of first-round draft picks, Sam Presti has put together an elite set of young talent.
That includes former lottery picks Chet Holmgren and Josh Giddey, who stole all the headlines at this year’s Nike Basketball World Festival in NYC (via NBA).
Chet x Giddey ⛈️
Scenes from the @nikebasketball World Basketball Festival in NYC 📸
(via @nbafuturenow) pic.twitter.com/tw1KuKQD3H
— NBA (@NBA) September 16, 2023
Notably, Holmgren wasn’t able to make his NBA debut last season, as he suffered a foot injury in the offseason.
As for Giddey, he continued to make a name for himself for his ability to fill up the stat sheet, even impressing with Team Australia in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
The Thunder flirted with playoff contention last season until Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got hurt.
Holmgren’s addition could be just what they need to get over the hump and go back to the postseason, as he’s one of the most talented young players in the league right now.
He’s one of the few true unicorns, a guy who can put the ball on the floor and pass, create for others, and take three-pointers like a guard, and then swat shots into the standings as a rim-protecting big man on defense.
Of course, injuries will always be a concern with lanky players like him, but he’s bulked up significantly in the offseason.
With him, Giddey, Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, and Jaylen Williams rounding up the starting lineup, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Mark Daigneault’s team making the playoffs next season.
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Reporter Says 1 Young Team Could Make A Surprising Run For Damian Lillard
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