3 Thunder poised for bigger roles in 2024-25 season based on training camp buzz

Though we may only be in the infancy stages of the preseason, already there have been a ton of eye-raising comments and quotes coming out of OKC Thunder training camp.

As the club gears up for what is projected to be an even more successful run during their follow-up to a history-breaking 2023-24 campaign, Oklahoma City is hoping to see all of its players take significant steps forward as both players and overall leaders.

While it's seemingly a forgone conclusion that superstar centerpiece, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will continue to pave the way as head honcho within Mark Daigneault's scheme, in order for the Thunder to legitimately vie for an NBA Championship, his supporting cast is going to need to show they are capable of taking on larger tasks on the hardwood compared to previous years.

Based on the early camp buzz, there seem to be a few players, in particular, who are already being looked toward by coach Daigneault as individuals who realistically could be in line for bigger roles in 2024-25.

OKC Thunder players poised for bigger roles during 2024-25 season

Aaron Wiggins

This summer, Aaron Wiggins and the Thunder came to an agreement on a long-term contract extension that will pay him roughly $9 million per year through 2028-29.

Following a tremendously productive 2023-24 campaign that saw him post averages of 6.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per night while serving as a regularly used commodity within their 57-win rotation, this payday should come as no surprise.

Now, heading into his fourth year with the franchise, not only is Wiggins expected to receive an uptick in pay but, also, within coach Mark Daigneault's game-plan.

At least, that's what he's insinuated during these early stages of training camp, as he recently told reporters that "he can handle more volume" on the offensive side of the ball, particularly from beyond the arc.

Over the last two seasons, Wiggins has converted on 44.4 percent of his 3-point attempts, with last season seeing him register in with a whopping 49.2 clip.

Daigneault believes the 25-year-old to be someone who can remain just as efficient as he's been with an increase in shots. Don't be surprised if the Thunder wing sets a new career-high in attempts from deep this coming season.

Jalen Williams

The odds-makers have penciled in this Thunder team as the second-best bet to come away from the 2024-25 campaign with the Larry O'Brien Trophy, trailing only the reigning champion, Boston Celtics.

However, in order for them to accomplish such a feat, someone is going to have to step up within the pecking order and establish themselves as the de facto, secondary offensive creator behind clear number one, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

All eyes seem to be on Jalen Williams to fill such a role, as he's coming off a tremendous sophomore showing where he dropped sensational averages all-across the board and finished as the second-highest point producer on the team with 19.1.

Of course, one of the biggest criticisms about the forward's game to this point has been his lacking presence as an offensive initiator, as only 110 of his 1,355 total points scored came in isolation sets, while a mere 38.5 percent of his field goals during their round-two demise against the Dallas Mavericks came unassisted.

How he ends up addressing this aspect of his game could very well prove to be the difference between his league-wide status being seen as a rising stud and a bonafide star.

Fortunately, it seems the coaching staff has been encouraging him to become more involved as a creator in the scoring department so far in training camp.

Isaiah Hartenstein

If you were under the impression that the Thunder were adding Isaiah Hartenstein to their roster solely for his size and interior presence, you might want to guess again.

Though his 7-foot, 249-pound frame will undoubtedly help bolster the club's previously featherweight frontcourt arsenal and his rebounding and rim-protecting skills seem to be a great fit within their scheme, through this first week of training camp there has been a ton of buzz regarding the 26-year-old big that pertains to attributes not regularly associated with his name.

Not only have his passing capabilities caught the organization's attention, which is a skill Sam Presti seemingly wishes to utilize this season, but, during a recent media session, Hartenstein revealed that the coaching staff has been encouraging him to become more active in the long-range game.

"Mark's giving me the confidence. He wants me to shoot 'em... When I get up in the corner I'm definitely going to shoot the three," Hartenstein said.

This revelation comes after a recent video clip surfaced of the center running full-court scrimmages where he was seen showcasing a seemingly refined offensive repertoire.

Though the expectation is that he'll still be more focused on handling the nitty-gritty aspects of the game as he's done throughout his soon-to-be seven-year career, heading into his first season with the Thunder expect to see Hartenstein be more of an active participant on the offensive end than he has in years past.