A very tough week is slated for the OKC Thunder who play two games in LA versus the Lakers, travel to Denver to play the Nuggets, and finish at home versus the Milwaukee Bucks. The club entered the week boasting a 10-12 record and has hovered around the .500 mark all season.
It shouldn’t be surprising if next Monday finds the Thunder six games under .500 (10-16) given the above quartet of elite clubs. Unlike previous seasons this campaign is far more about growth and development. Although no one is embracing the ‘tank’ within the franchise (at least outwardly) neither will they be upset if the Thunder falls down the ladder.
In truth, the Thunder brain trust would be thrilled to finish among the bottom three of the league to increase their chances at nabbing the top pick from a draft class chock full of impressive prospects.
Many have pegged Cade Cunningham as the projected top pick but like every season that assumption could change depending on what happens throughout the college season as well as how some athletes develop with the G-League select team and overseas teams.
Other teams like the Heat, Rockets, and Warriors will also impact the 2021 Thunder draft and where they pick plus how many picks they receive.
As the team carries on through this season the priority is more about growth and development than winning. To that end, the franchise is assessing the talent they have with a view to where each player fits in the future.
Five returning youngsters were all in various areas of development. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was tapped as the cornerstone and untouchable. Luguentz Dort arose late last season as the team’s defensive specialist.
Darius Bazley enters his sophomore season and arguably was the second untouchable player given his ceiling and youth. Isaiah Roby hadn’t played much with the varsity squad but is a player who fits the positionless scheme the OKC Thunder wants to pursue and through the quarter season has delivered to the degree that the franchise is likely keen to add him to the core.
OKC Thunder wing Hamidou Diallo showcasing growth
The final player in the quintet is now the senior Thunder member with a mere three seasons in OKC. That’s wing man and dunk champion, Hamidou Diallo. Throughout his tenure in OKC, he’s shown glimpses of his potential but often got sidetracked due to injury.
Heading into the season both VP Sam Presti and head coach Mark Daigneault sang Diallo’s praises. They cited examples of how Diallo has always managed to raise his level of play and meet goals.
Specifically, Presti and Daigneault noted how Diallo had to fight for minutes or a role on the club at the start of each season and accomplished that goal.
The questions about Diallo have always centered on his ceiling and his ability to improve his shooting on all areas of the court.