4 problems Oklahoma City Thunder must fix to win 2024 NBA title

3. Size

The Thunder start Chet Holmgren at the five. He is 7’1 but listed at just 195 pounds. The 21-year-old is still not fully grown into his body and lacks the strength to keep some of the league’s biggest men off the glass. Holmgren is phenomenal and a future star, but some matchups are problematic.

Beyond that, Oklahoma City does not have a true power forward. They play small with Josh Giddey being their next tallest player at 6’8. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is 6’6 and Jalen Williams is listed at 6’5, but their heaviest starter is Lu Dort at 6’3 and 215 lbs. The Thunder have a switchable defense, but there is certainly a weak spot against teams with size.

Head coach Mark Daigneault must maximize his lineups in the playoffs. If the opposition is going small and spacing the floor, the Thunder have options. When they shift to bigger lineups, Oklahoma City may have to go to their bench and explore using Gordon Hayward, Jaylin Williams, Bismack Biyomobo, Mike Muscala, or Kenrich Williams to stem the tide.

OKC also has a spacing dilemma with Josh Giddey. If they take him out of the lineup, their second-tallest player is 6’6. That may not be enough size even against teams going small. The Thunder cannot give up a ton of extra possessions, but what if the shooting and spacing become problematic? Daigneault may be forced to change things up and go even smaller.