OKC Thunder: B/R pegs Theo Maledon as starter that needs replacement

The OKC Thunder may have finished off the 2020-21 campaign with their worst record (win-percentage wise) in franchise history and missed out on the postseason for the first time in five years, but in comparison to all other teams in tank mode, they appear to be in the most enviable position.

Because of their tribulations from this past season, Sam Presti and co. find themselves holding the fourth-best odds of landing the No. 1 overall pick in this upcoming NBA Draft and, as a whole, hold a 45.1 percent chance of landing within the top-four.

What makes this all the more impressive is that Oklahoma City doesn’t have the same pressure as other teams in the midst of a full-fledged rebuild to nab an all-encompassing franchise cornerstone, for they already seem to have one in third-year guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

As a starter this year, the 22-year-old posted per-game averages of 23.7 points, 5.9 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and just shy of both a steal and a block per game.

It’s safe to say that, not only is he OKC’s building block of the future, but it goes without saying that his spot within the rotation seems undeniably secure.

That said, outside of SGA, it would appear that there are only a select few players that are viewed as near-untouchables, meaning that there is room for alterations within the team’s rotation — after all, the OKC Thunder only managed to win 22 games on the year.

Looking at the team’s lineup from last season, it’s evident that at least three of their five starters could be upgraded upon and, according to Bleacher Report, Theo Maledon at the one is the main area in which Presti should look to alter.

Citing Oklahoma City’s likely drive to improve upon their efforts come next season, coupled with Maledon’s shooting struggles, writer Grant Hughes is under the impression that, should the Thunder wish to take a step forward as soon as 2021-22, they should strongly consider finding a replacement for the soon to be sophomore guard:

"If we assume, however, that the Oklahoma City Thunder are done feigning efforts to win games, Maledon should not be in the starting lineup next season. Give him minutes as a backup; he’s earned them merely by surviving this year’s baptism by fire. But OKC can’t in good conscience give a first-unit role to a player who shot 36.8 percent from the field.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the biggest star nobody knows about, and the ball should be in his hands as much as possible. Maledon can spell SGA and hopefully build on his rookie year by getting more reps against backups."

While in the past we at TI have gone about and suggested Maledon should be a part of the starting lineup for the OKC Thunder, when it comes to the most important position in the game, it’s hard to argue against trying to get the best talent possible.

This offseason, there will be several players that could come in and be inserted at the one in the team’s starting lineup, be it via the draft or through free agency.

Hughes is under the impression that this should be a goal of OKC’s.