The Oklahoma City Thunder are entering this 2024-25 season with a ton of expectations. With the amount of success they were able to achieve, from awards to records, everyone is putting pressure on them to achieve more. In order to do so, players must get better.
It helps that general manager Sam Presti was able to sign Isaiah Hartenstein from the Knicks and swap Josh Giddey for the savvy defender in Alex Caruso. Pair that with keeping impactful role players like Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe, and the Thunder are looking in quite good shape.
However, as many Thunder and NBA fans know, the Western Conference is extremely competitive, and in order to compete and have a chance at a title, you need stars.
The Thunder of course have one in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, where he placed second in MVP voting last season, and was recently ranked as the fourth best player to start a franchise with. Outside of SGA, what other stars does OKC have to offer?
According to Dan Favale of Bleacher Report, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are bound place their names amongst the biggest names in the league:
"Put a cap on Holmgren's Year 2 possibilities at your own peril," Favale said, "Virtually anything—All-Defense, All-Star, All-NBA, Most Improved Player, whatever—is on the table.
"Jalen Williams occupies the space held by Tyrese Maxey entering last season: that kind-of-already-a-star who seems fated to become undeniable by year's end".
It will only be a matter of time until the Thunder are a legitimate superteam.
MORE THUNDER CONTENT:
Bleacher Report Projects Thunder with Second Best Record in NBA
Thunder Guard Looking in Midseason Form
Thunder Young Star Poised To Win Most Improved Player