Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams. Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Why Oklahoma City Thunder could be NBA's next great team

By Ethan Scott | Last updated 3/24/23

In the thick of the Western Conference playoff hunt, the Oklahoma City Thunder is playing with house money. No matter how this season ends for the team, it might have the brightest future of any NBA team.

Thanks to shrewd moves by GM Sam Presti, Oklahoma City (36-37) has 10 first-round picks over the next three seasons. Plus, the youthful Thunder has played all season without 7-foot-1 center Chet Holmgren, the second overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He oozes potential.

Former NBA player JJ Redick was asked on ESPN's "First Take" recently what team is set up best for the next five years.

"Number one is the Oklahoma City Thunder," he said. "Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander] took another jump. Josh Giddey has improved. Jalen Williams looks like a future star.

JJ Reddick talks about Oklahoma City Thunder at #1 among teams over the next 5 years on First Take

Stephen A. Smith agrees that the Thunder are in that mix pic.twitter.com/qbdnRYWBkq
— TF (@ThunderFocus) March 22, 2023

The average age of the Thunder's roster is 23.14 -- the youngest in the NBA. Giddey, Williams and Lou Dort haven't fully tapped into their potential but already look like great pieces for a contender.

Most importantly, Oklahoma City already has the piece required for an NBA championship-level team: a superstar. Guard Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists and shoots 51.2% from the field. He has a good case to make First-Team All-NBA over Phoenix's Devin Booker and Memphis' Ja Morant.

"It's undeniable," Nick Wright said on FS1's "Speak for Yourself" about Gilgeous-Alexander having a better season than Booker.

OKC's final nine regular-season games include the Charlotte Hornets (23-51), Detroit Pistons (16-57) and Portland Trail Blazers (32-40). The Thunder could easily finish in the top 10 and make the Play-In.

But whether they make the postseason or not is immaterial. The Thunder is far ahead of schedule. Look out, NBA.

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