OKC Thunder’s new look starting 5 confirms bright future

We made it! The OKC Thunder start their season tonight in the Windy City! We are mere minutes away from the Thunder tipping off year 16 in Bricktown. 

The buzz around Oklahoma City has not reached this fever pitch since 2017, and this second era of young stars has fans ready to embrace them with arms wide open. Game one of the 82-game marathon is one that is always overreacted to.

However, the reactions are starting before tip-off. With the OKC Thunder finally getting to put their starting five on display, over a year past due, fans are ecstatic about what the future holds—both short-term and long-term.

The new look starting five for the OKC Thunder confirms just how good this core is ahead of the season opener.

As the OKC Thunder opened up the season in the Windy City, Mark Daigneault elected to roll out the starting five we all projected. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be joined by Josh Giddey, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren.

That is four lottery picks and one of the best-undrafted players ever, all in the same group. Chet Holmgren is set to make his NBA debut after a year on the shelf and is the only top-five pick of the bunch!

As Mark Daigneault takes on his old protégé in Billy Donovan, OKC Thunder fans are turning their attention to the future. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has made his superstar arrival. Can Jalen Williams build on his red-hot second half of his rookie season? What is the next step for Josh Giddey? Is Lu Dort due to be a more efficient offensive player with better talent around him?

Then, you have Chet Holmgren. Who is a potentially franchise-altering player. What does he bring to this OKC Thunder squad right away? If the preseason is any indication, Holmgren will impact winning in a massive way, even as a rookie.

This will be a fun season; with all the hype and excitement of what could happen, it is important to enjoy the ride. This is still one of the league’s youngest teams and will take time to gel. While they could hit the ground running, just enjoy watching this team grow. Grow with them.

It is clear, based on the talent already on this team, that we are due for another fun and successful run of basketball in Bricktown.

For coverage of this game, make sure you stay tuned to Thunderous Intentions post-game and all season long.