B/R offers exciting projection for 2 Thunder ready to 'explode' in 2024-25

Last season, the OKC Thunder as a whole found themselves breaking out onto the scene, as they saw a 17-win bump up from the season before, clinched their first playoff berth since 2019-20, and made history as the youngest team in league history to claim a top seed in a conference standings.

Now, with this astronomical ascension, expectations heading into 2024-25 are through the roof for this incredibly talented Oklahoma City squad both as a collective and, as noted in a recent piece by Bleacher Report's Dan Favale, from an individual standpoint as well, as he projects two members of the organization will "explode into stardom" this coming year.

OKC Thunder studs J-Dub, Chet projected to 'explode into stardom'

Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren both proved to be the second and third-best options (in no particular order, mind you) on a legitimate championship contender last year, though, prior to the campaign, had no semblance of experience taking on such vital roles.

Despite this lack of familiarity, however, the duo absolutely broke onto the scene, with J-Dub dropping sensational averages of 19.1 points, 4.5 assists, and 4.0 rebounds while cashing in on 54.0 percent of his shots from the floor and 42.7 percent from distance while Chet finished with 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks on 53.0 percent shooting and 37.0 percent shooting from deep.

What makes this brand of production, and the level of impact it had on the Thunder all the more awe-inspiring is the fact that it came in their second and first seasons, respectively, of seeing actual in-game NBA action.

To Favale, the key for Williams and Holmgren ascending toward star status is an advancement in their respective offensive games.

For the former, the goal is to have him turn into "that second high-level shot-creator and -maker," something the Thunder "still need" next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. As for the latter, Chet must sustain his elite rim-protecting skills while simultaneously upping his efficiency with "more offensive responsibility."

Should this happen, Favale is projecting "All-Defense, All-Star, All-NBA, Most Improved Player, whatever," could realistically be in the cards for Holmgren while many others see Williams as being someone who will "feature in the All-NBA discussion for years to come."