First place: Josh Giddey
Gordon Hayward’s integration into the Thunder’s lineup this season will take some time. After missing weeks due to a bothersome injury, he will need to ramp up the offence, practice with his new teammates, and physically prepare for the game. He will play a minor role off the bench when he makes his debut following the All-Star Break.
Ultimately, though, the benefit of bringing in a player such as Hayward is that he can compete with the other players in either a starting or a closer role. In addition to being a skilled scorer who will take some shots, Hayward is a point forward whose ability to handle the ball and create opportunities for others will improve any lineup in which he plays.
Taking into account his shooting, Hayward essentially offers the Thunder’s starting lineups a more seasoned and adaptable Josh Giddey. Hayward is obviously a better fit on paper as a player wanting to succeed with the other players, but Giddey is a better rebounder and a better option to manage his own squad.
Although Josh Giddey won’t be entirely eliminated from the lineup, opponents can easily leave him wide open on the perimeter due to his lack of a jumpshot. Now, Giddey is more of a liability to those lineups than a help, but he can develop countermeasures to that, such as running out to set screens outside of the arc (a la Draymond Green when he is left exposed).
If healthy, Gordon Hayward would be a far better choice. He can play in almost any lineup, has a wealth of postseason experience, and possesses the skill set to be both on and off the ball when necessary. It won’t be shocking to see the former All-Star replace Giddey in the starting lineup as Hayward adjusts as the season progresses towards the postseason.This season, the Oklahoma City Thunder are primed to go far in the playoffs. They have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a deserving MVP candidate, and their club is formidable on both ends of the court. Although they are young, they are superior to the majority of “young” teams who have made their maiden postseason appearance in recent years.
The Thunder will enter the offseason with the goal of continuing to improve their young, talented core, regardless of what happens in the postseason. What actions should the Thunder take to assemble the strongest team possible? Let’s map out a hypothetical offseason that the Thunder should pursue in order to reach their ceiling, rather of discussing specific moves.
Let Aleksej Pokusevski go.
When the Thunder traded up to select Aleksej Pokusevski with the No. 17 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, his potential seemed intriguing. The seven-foot Serbian would be the kind of NBA unicorn that turns a club around if he could combine a package of abilities including ball handling, passing, and shooting.
Although “Poku” has experienced some amazing moments, he doesn’t have enough of them to have a significant impact on the NBA. Poku has only played 60 minutes this season; the Thunder have really found a unicorn replacement in Chet Holmgren. Poku simply does not have spot on the roster any more. Come summertime, when he becomes a free agent, it will be time to let him go.
Keep the guys who aren’t guaranteed.
The Thunder should let go of Pokusevski, but three players—big man Jaylin Williams, wing Aaron Wiggins, and shooting specialist Isaiah Joe—have non-guaranteed contracts for 2024–25. Next season, all three players ought to return.
It makes sense to include any of those three in a trade if the Thunder have a trade offer on the table; unless their growth takes an unexpected turn for the better, none of them will be starters. However, each has a great contract and can contribute meaningful rotation time to a strong club. Reliable, low-cost role players are valuable assets to have on hand.
