OKC Thunder news: SGA bags another award, Nuggets wanted Jalen Williams

The Thunderous Intentions Weekly notebook is back with details you might have missed throughout the week, what lies ahead, and tidbits about the team! This week, we are diving into what we know about the 2023 NBA Draft, OKC Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander bagging another award, and the NBA Champion Nuggets wanted to trade up for Jalen Williams in the 2022 NBA Draft.

The OKC Thunder are in the midst of preparing for the 2023 NBA Draft, and we have you covered with a ton of content. This week has been an eventful one as former players have won rings, the Thunder swung another mid-finals trade, and former point guard Chris Paul detailed his time in Bricktown. Here are some things you might have missed in the last seven days.

OKC Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander bags another award, and the Denver Nuggets wanted to trade up for star rookie Jalen Williams in the 2022 NBA Draft.

After the Denver Nuggets won the 2023 NBA Finals, ESPN’s Zach Lowe detailed their journey for ESPN+ (subscription required). Within the article was a tidbit about Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Jalen Williams:

“In the 2022 draft, Booth — now the top decision-maker and holding the No. 22 pick — thought about trading up with Washington for No. 10 with an eye on Jalen Williams. (No such deal emerged.)”

This adds up, as the OKC Thunder were fearful other teams (like the previously reported Cavaliers) were eager to trade up for the Santa Clara wing. This triggered Sam Presti to leap up to the 11th pick in the 2022 draft to block other squads from landing the combine riser. With that 11th pick, Presti grabbed Ousmane Dieng, allowing Jalen Williams to slot into the Thunder’s owned 12th pick in case the trade for pick 11 hit a midnight-hour snag. Lowe’s report confirms the value and Thunder’s thought process surrounding Williams.

For the second straight year, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been named GQ Sports Most Stylish NBA Player. This is unsurprising, as GQ is a year removed from tabbing Gilgeous-Alexander as the most stylish male. The max contract point guard has spent his summer dominating the fashion space at the Met Galla.

Articles you might have missed this week: 

• What lessons the OKC Thunder can learn from the Denver Nuggets
• 3 Prospects the Thunder should stay away from in the 2023 NBA Draft
• What if the Thunder nailed every draft pick since 2011?
• Which player benefited most from the Thunder’s recent trade?
• How OKC improved their asset pile in their trade with the Nuggets
• OKC Thunder 2023 NBA Draft Workout Tracker

Song of the Week: Total Entertainment Forever by Father John Misty.

With the NBA Finals behind us and the NBA Draft a week away, the floodgates will burst open for NBA rumors around the Draft, trade market, and Free Agency, so stay tuned to Thunderous Intentions daily for Thunder content.