The Oklahoma City Thunder’s path to relevancy got longer this August when number two overall pick Chet Holmgren injured his foot playing in a pro-am league and was lost for the season.
But Holmgren isn’t the only lottery pick joining the raw, but talented roster this season. F Jalen Williams was drafted 12th overall, while F/C Ousmane Dieng was drafted 11th and came over on a draft night deal with the Knicks.
Add in C Jaylin Williams picked close to the top of round two and that’s three more rookies added to the pool that also includes 24-year-old Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 23-year-old Lugentz Dort and 19-year-old Josh Giddey.
This is a team that is going to continue going through growing pains together, but also one that should improve as the season goes along.
Oklahoma City Thunder Season Outlook:
Projected Starting Lineup: PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, SG Josh Giddey, SF Luguentz Dort, PF Darius Bazley, C Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
Head coach: Mark Daigneault
Notable Additions: G Trey Burke
Draft Picks: C Chet Holmgren (2nd overall), Ousmane Dieng (11th overall), F Jalen Williams (12th overall)
Thunder Arena: Paycom Center
Thunder NBA Schedule: NBA.com
2022-23 Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Futures Odds
- Odds to win the 2023 NBA Championship: 700/1
- Odds to win the 2022-23 Western Conference: 600/1
- Odds to win the 2022-23 Northwest Division: +25000
- 2022-23 Regular Season Win Total: Over 22½ (-130)
- Odds to Make the Playoffs: Yes +1600 | No -15000
- Official website: nba.com/thunder
- Twitter Account : @okcthunder
2022-23 Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Award Top Contenders
Most Improved Player: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander +2500, Josh Giddey +3500
Rookie OTY: Ousmane Dieng +2500
Liev Jackson NBA Season Prediction on Thunder:
The Thunder won just 24 games last year and now in a league where several teams pushed their chips in to become contenders, they are likely to take a step back in the win column, even as their young core improves.
The lack of veterans to help teach the team how to win and provide some depth hurts. And with the backcourt and the three-spot more set for the future than the two bigs up front (especially after Holmgren’s foot injury), this seems like a perfect season to once again pursue the number one overall pick, expected to be PF/C Victor Wembanyama.
Favorite bets for the season at current odds include:
- 2022-23 Regular Season Win Total: Under 22½ (+100)
2021-22 Record: 24-58
My Record Prediction: 20-62
NBA Odds According to Bovada as of September, 2022
Bet on the Oklahoma City Thunder 2022-23 Season at Bovada Sportsbook.
