Thunder free agency: Ranking the best available bigs in 2024
By Mark Nilon
![Jan 3, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Smith (25) celebrates a made basket in the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports Jan 3, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Smith (25) celebrates a made basket in the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4180,h_2351,x_0,y_138/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/157/01j1n8qk6376yzx1nd04.jpg)
Following a sensational campaign that saw them claim the top seed in the Western Conference standings and win their first playoff series since the Kevin Durant era, the OKC Thunder are heading into the 2024 offseason on a mission to shore up any and all loose ends as they attempt to enter into the legitimate title favorite conversation.
While they've already improved upon one of their more debilitating weaknesses from this past season in long-range shooting (finished first in three-point percentage as a collective, though attempted a middling 34.2 shots a night), particularly with the addition of Alex Caruso, still on their to-do list is adding more big men to their vertically challenged frontcourt.
The Thunder currently have just three players under contract who measure in at 6-foot-9 or taller, while their tallest talent and primary center in 7-foot-1 Chet Holmgren weighs a mere 207 pounds.
This lack of size up front proved to be a problem during their their second-round playoff bout against the more physically dominant Dallas Mavericks, and, with menacing bigs such as Nikola Jokic, Rudy Gobert, and Victor Wembanyama all residing in the same conference, it will continue to be so if nothing is done about it.
Big men Thunder must target in 2024 NBA Free Agency
Because of this, it is a popular belief that the Thunder will be looking to strengthen their big-man arsenal during the offseason, and, with roughly $35 million in spending power, they could realistically be in the running for any number of this year's top-billed free agents.
Looking at the crop of frontcourt commodities that are slated to hit the 2024 NBA Free Agency market, there are quite a number that should be on Oklahoma City's wish list, with four, in particular, who deserve to be tabbed as "must-targets."