OKC Thunder: Gift ideas for every player on the 2020-21 roster

With Christmas Day here TI is taking the time to fill up each OKC Thunder player’s stocking with a special gift.

Merry Christmas to everyone in Thunder Nation! Today marks the annual marquee event of the NBA as ten teams take to the hardwood for our enjoyment. Unfortunately, the OKC Thunder are still waiting to play their first game.

That’s because the season opener in Houston was postponed due to the Rockets not having enough players available. The Rockets were short of having eight players available due to a number of situations tied to the pandemic including a trio who went to get their hair cut, another quartet who were potentially exposed to COVID-19, and James Harden continuing to ignore the league-mandated requirements of safety.

As such, the Thunder players arrive at Christmas Day chomping at the bit to get on the floor and begin their 2020-21 season.

With it being Christmas I thought I’d offer up a list of gifts for each of this season’s OKC Thunder players. Certainly, the most obvious suggestion is a wish for health and safety for each player and everyone in the fanbase. For those who are keen to add to their OKC Thunder jersey collection click here.

Aside from that, here’s what I’d give each individual if I had disposable income or a genie’s ability to grant wishes:

Stocking stuffers for each OKC Thunder player:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A robe and crown fit for a prince as he called himself shortly after joining the Thunder. His new wardrobe will be fitting as he becomes the face of the franchise. 🌟👑

Darius Bazley: A roaming spotlight that will shine on him throughout the season as he ascends to stardom. 🔦

Luguentz Dort: A beautiful cedar and glass trophy case to house all his eventual NBA All-Defense and Defensive Player of the Year awards. 🏆

Hamidou Diallo: Personal sessions with the Lethal Shooter (Chris Matthews) the best shooting coach in the business to help Hami grow into the 3 and D wing Sam Presti envisioned when he acquired the youngster. 🏀

Aleksej Pokusevski: A personal chef and strength trainer to help him add (in a healthy way) the extra muscles and healthy weight needed to make his frame more NBA ready.🏋️‍♂️ 👩‍🍳

Theo Maledon: One of the new iPhones that allow him to take great videos and pictures of himself so he can send it to all the teams who passed on him in the first round of the draft. 📱

Mike Muscala: The Community Assist Award for all his philanthropic ventures including donating money to PeacePlayers and his continued efforts with Pay Away the Layaway. 🏅

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George Hill – with a rub of the genie lantern a wish for a career setting season of production that will allow his eventual trade to a contender at the trade deadline. 🧞‍♂️

Al Horford: A plaque with the Mahatma Ghandi quote: “A sign of a good leader is not how many followers you have, but how many leaders you create.” 😇

Trevor Ariza: A bidding war from numerous contending teams for your services 💸

Josh Hall and Moses Brown: Mont Blanc pens in a glass container that they will break open when they ink a full-time contract with the varsity squad. 🖊️🖊️

Ty Jerome: Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich by Mark Kriegel 📓

Kenrich Williams: Basketball (and Other Things): A Collection of Questions Asked, Answered, Illustrated by Shea Serrano. 🔖

Justin Jackson: Shoot Your Shot: A Sport-Inspired Guide To Living Your Best Life by Vernon Brundage Jr. 📙

Isaiah Roby: The Mamba Mentality – by Kobe Bryant 📗

Darius Miller: The Book of Basketball by Bill Simmons 📖

Notably, the last five were based on these players all having extra time given they’ll be sitting at the end of the bench. I considered getting them motivational audiobooks but their ability to create a niche within the future core falls upon them so let’s motivate them with words of wisdom from some of the best basketball books available.

I’m sure there are gifts each player might prefer but that’s my stab at something a little extra to stick in each of their holiday stockings.

What would you gift each of our Thunder players? Let us know in the comments section.

Happy Holidays!