The OKC Thunder may not be the best team heading into the 2020-21 season, but we at Thunderous Intentions hope to see some players receive big minutes.
It’s almost that time of year OKC Thunder fans — the return of NBA basketball.
After a surprise run to the postseason in 2019-20, Sam Presti and co. have decided to call it quits on competing for the time being and, instead, steer full speed ahead into an all-out rebuild.
Appearing as though they already have their centerpiece for the future in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, it’s a given that the wing will be one of the most heavily utilized pieces of the rotation during this upcoming season, even heavier than he was last year.
However, outside of SGA, there are no guarantees in regard to minutes distribution.
As of this moment, we can only speculate as to who will be both placed within the starting rotation as well as given ample time on the hardwood.
If it were up to us at Thunderous Intentions, we would look to get these 3 specific players big minutes during the upcoming campaign:
OKC Thunder player we hope gets big minutes No. 1) Luguentz Dort
After the postseason Luguentz Dort just had for the OKC Thunder, you best believe we here at TI hope he gets the respect he deserves and is blessed with more playing time in 2020-21.
A rookie going head to head with a former league MVP under the bright lights of the playoffs is never an easy task to receive, especially considering Dort came in as an undrafted free agent. However, the 21-year-old took his role head-on and, in turn, seemingly became an overnight sensation for Thunder fans.
Logging six games during OKC’s first-round series against the Houston Rockets, Dort posted solid averages of 12.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, one assist, and one block per game.
However, it was during the team’s pivotal final two exhibitions where he truly broke onto the scene.
For games 6 and 7, Dort posted averages of 21.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and a block on 50 percent shooting from the floor and 44 percent shooting from deep while also on the less glamorous side of the ball holding James Harden to just 17 points on a mere 27 percent shooting from the field.
Heading into the year, many expect the sophomore to get a much bigger role in the rotation. We hope coach Mark Daigneault follows through with this expectation.