Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

OKC Thunder: 2 surprise players that could land starting gigs in 2020-21

By Mark Nilon

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 24: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts during player introductions before game four against the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 24, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 24: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts during player introductions before game four against the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 24, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

Heading into the upcoming season, the rotation for the OKC Thunder has yet to be solidified, and there are 2 specific players that could vie for starting gigs at some point this season.

With just under two weeks till we see the OKC Thunder take to the hardwood once again, fans are champing at the bit to see how their favorite NBA team will fair in 2020-21.

While many expect and hope that Oklahoma City will be in full rebuild mode this year, there will still be many reasons for people to watch the Thunder play during the season.

Perhaps the biggest draw for an audience will be to see the development and production from third-year star and presumed franchise centerpiece, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is taking in taking over the role of top-dog within the rotation for the first time during his young career.

Currently listed 38th on ESPN’s latest top-50 best NBA players list, SGA is coming off a 2019-20 campaign where he led the team in points (19 points per game) while also recording other stellar averages of 5.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game on 47 percent shooting from the floor and 35 percent shooting from deep.

Now, as we move along into the new league year, it’s evident that Gilgeous-Alexander will be the focal point of the offense and the most sure-fire starter they have on the team. Outside of him, and perhaps Darius Bazley, it’s truly anyone’s guess as to who will wind up running in the first five rotation.

While many may have their ideas and safe bets as to who will fill out the starting rotation, at this point in time no official word has come out about how head coach Mark Daigneault plans to go about this situation.

Though there is certainly a set hierarchy of talent on this roster, we here at Thunderous Intentions believe two specific players could wind up surprisingly usurp some of their peers en route to a starting gig at some point this season:

Home/Thunder News