For the most part, 2024-25 has been a tremendous all-around season for the OKC Thunder that has seen very few hiccups.
From their top-rated net rating (12.3) to their ownership of the best record in the Western Conference at 36-7, it's evident that Oklahoma City has been rolling through this first half of the campaign.
And yet, despite their clear successes, when watching this team there are still some visible limitations to their game that could use for some addressing before they embark on a second-consecutive playoff run.
Thursday night, one of the Thunder's most glaring weaknesses was put on full display by PJ Washington, as the Mavericks forward had himself a truly remarkable showing by posting 22 points, 19 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks while shooting 40.0 percent from distance en route to a commanding 121-115 win at Paycom Center.
Now, for those who have tuned in for the previous few bouts between these two new-age rivals, the 26-year-old wrapping up with mesmerizing numbers such as these has become something of the norm.
In the three games he's squared off against Oklahoma City this season he finds himself averaging a whopping 21.7 points, 14.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists,1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks on 51.4 percent shooting from the floor and 53.8 percent shooting from deep.
Though Washington may be amid one of his best seasons yet as a pro, even when compared to his already impressive per-game counting stats his production against the Thunder has clearly stood out and, during his post-game presser, he highlighted why he believes this is.
PJ Washington talks reasons why he shows out against OKC Thunder
"I feel like I can post up. I can just play my game anyway I can. I feel like I'm very aggressive against them and it puts them in rotations and it's just really good for us on the offensive end," Washington said.
Now, while many may point to the fact that all three of Washington's games against the Thunder this year have come when OKC has been limited with their frontcourt personnel, as Chet Holmgren has missed all potential matchups and Isaiah Hartenstein has played in just one, it's important to understand that neither would have been tasked with serving as his primary assignment.
What this means is, though their presence may have certainly been beneficial (as made evident in the club's lone win of the season series when they had I-Hart available), it wouldn't have served as a solution to Washington's on-court excellence, and, more broadly, the problem that is Oklahoma City's lack of length and physicality on the wing.
This season, the Thunder have rolled out lineups with their primary options at the three and four spots being Jalen Williams (6-foot-5), Luguentz Dort (6-foot-4), and Alex Caruso (6-foot-5).
This collection when going up against guys with superior size like the 6-foot-8 Pascal Siakam (dropped 22.0 points and 10.0 rebounds on 50.0 percent shooting and 71.4 percent shooting from deep), the 6-foot-9 John Collins (averaging 18.5 points and 8.5 rebounds on 63.6 percent shooting and 71.4 percent shooting from deep), and the 6-foot-7 Washington, for example, have severely struggled.
As the Mavericks forward alluded to, the Thunder have had a hard time containing forwards with better size and more aggression. Because of this, during these next couple of weeks leading up to the trade deadline, perhaps it may be wise for Sam Presti and company to scour the market for some much-needed length for the defensive side of the ball.
Be it a veteran role player like Larry Nance Jr. or a rising young stud such as Herb Jones, OKC must seriously consider adding some reinforcements to this area of their arsenal.