As coaching camp wraps up, the subsequent step towards the 2024-25 common season opener is the preseason roster. THE Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder will play 5 exhibitions in 10 days from October 7 to 17.
4 will face NBA opponents, the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets and Atlanta Hawks. The fifth will likely be towards the New Zealand Breakers of the NBL.
Not a lot will likely be revealed in the course of the Thunder’s preseason. Count on the highest gamers within the rotation to be out for a lot of the occasion. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort (relaxation) have already been dominated out for the pre-season opener towards Spurs.
Regardless of this, the occasion has worth outdoors of rust removing. The low-stakes atmosphere encourages experimentation and the underside of the depth chart to play significant minutes. Listed here are 5 ideas on the Thunder’s 2024-25 preseason:
Who’re the Thunder starters?
It is not assured, however the preseason might present a primary take a look at who the Thunder will likely be of their first common season sport in Denver. Gilgeous-Alexander and Dort is not going to play within the preseason opener towards the Spurs. The OKC-Tulsa back-to-back nearly ensures the opposite starters will likely be rested. In order that most likely eliminates two prospects – however hey, there are nonetheless three different video games that might reveal this important data.
This will likely be one thing to observe. The Thunder might take a look at their starters in at the very least one among their 5 preseason video games. This will likely be an necessary storyline to comply with all through the 10-day occasion that may at the very least make it fascinating to take a look at who begins.
What does the Hartenstein-Holmgren frontcourt appear to be?
That is one other state of affairs which will or might not happen. The addition of Hartenstein opens up a number of prospects. Probably the most publicized is the twin coaching that he’ll share with Holmgren. After going the final two seasons and not using a conventional huge backup, OKC acquired one of many league’s greatest this offseason. The 2 gamers on the courtroom present one of the best paint safety within the league. It would undoubtedly see heavy use all year long.
Possibly it is a lineup the Thunder will stick of their pockets till the video games depend. However given the pure volatility of the preseason, maybe OKC will try what Hartenstein and Holmgren appear to be in restricted motion collectively.
How the Thunder will deal with 3 video games in 4 nights
Earlier than we break down the logistics, let’s begin by saying {that a} stretch of three video games in 4 nights in the course of the preseason ought to be banned. It’s kind of ridiculous, frankly. The extra roster spots ought to assist iron out this drawback, however there isn’t any level in overloading a lot of the preseason roster like this.
The Thunder may have a tough begin to their preseason slate. They may play in San Antonio on October 7, towards the Rockets in OKC on October 9 and towards the NBL’s New Zealand Breakers in Tulsa on October 10. That’s three video games in three totally different cities. Sheesh.
The back-to-back is helped a bit contemplating a sport is towards a non-NBA workforce. There’s a good probability that a number of gamers will likely be rested on the second evening of a row. This might permit some third-line gamers and coaching camp invitees to see some severe motion, which segues into the subsequent two preseason ideas.
What Ousmane Dieng and Dillon Jones appear to be after their accidents
The Thunder are shorthanded with their frontcourt depth. Accidents to Kenrich Williams (knee surgical procedure) and Jaylin Williams (hamstring pressure) might carry over into the common season. Each will likely be re-evaluated after the preseason. Ousmane Dieng and Dillon Jones might see some minutes if they do not return by the season opener.
From there, Dieng and Jones should reap the benefits of the chance. That is significantly pressing within the case of the previous, which is coming into its third season. He did not get a lot taking part in time in his first two years as a result of his growth, but it surely’s now or by no means for Dieng.
In Jones’ case, a robust begin to the marketing campaign for his rookie might give him an opportunity to play a couple of minutes early. In any other case, the 22-year-old will spend most of his first yr creating within the backcourt because of the frontcourt depth OKC has when wholesome.
Do any of the gamers within the Exhibit-10 deal stand out?
The Thunder signed three gamers to Exhibit-10 offers for coaching camp. Alex Reese, Malevy Leons and Cormac Ryan doubtless will not be on OKC’s roster this yr, however will likely be with the G League’s OKC Blue.
Leons and Ryan signed with the Thunder’s summer time league workforce this previous offseason after going undrafted. Reese was a member of the Portland Path Blazers’ summer time league and G League groups final yr. All three will doubtless see notable taking part in time all through the preseason slate.
preseason outing can assist them get rotation minutes with the Blues to start out the season. From then on, they are going to be fixtures underneath Blues head coach Kameron Woods. One of the best-case state of affairs is that one among them finally will get signed to a two-way slot later within the 2024-25 season.
This text was initially printed on OKC Thunder Wire: 5 ideas on the OKC Thunder 2024-25 preseason schedule
