OKC Thunder: Training camp storylines to follow for Thunder
By Rylan Stiles
OKC Thunder rookie Josh Giddey tries to gel with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
After a season full of losses for the OKC Thunder a year ago, turning in their worst record in franchise history during their Bricktown tenure, they were dealt a bad hand during the NBA Draft Lottery, and have Josh Giddey as the prize.
Giddey is a 6’9 playmaking guard from the NBL at just 18 years old, the Australian will enter the NBA this week with an elite trait, passing.
He had a lackluster shooting season a year ago, which he attributes to an early-season slump, making him an interesting candidate to play off-ball next to the max contract point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
While SGA has proven he can play off-ball, including within three-guard lineups, he has made it clear he wants to be a point guard in this league. You have to keep your number one player happy.
Giddey admits he has never played with another guard, much less one the caliber of Gilgeous-Alexander, so his offensive fit without the ball in his hands each play will be an interesting storyline to track throughout the season, including training camp.
Josh Giddey on his fit with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander “I love it! When I was in Australia I didn’t play with another guard, playing with a guy like Shai I’m really excited for it. It takes the pressure off me having the ball in my hands all the time.”
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) July 31, 2021
To rebuild this franchise, reaching the championship-caliber heights Sam Presti hopes to, you have to nail picks within the top ten of the draft. While the OKC Thunder GM is not adding any pressure to the rookie, his season, and career, will be put under the microscope. Especially when the selection was viewed as a reach by many at the time.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a full-go for camp, so Giddey will have as much time as possible to fit in with the borderline All-Star.