The OKC Thunder have the best young core in basketball, but that doesn’t mean success will come immediately. While there is no shortage of reasons to be excited about this era of Thunder basketball, expectations may be too high for next season.
A thrilling and unexpectedly successful 2022-23 season ended a win shy of the playoffs. With 2022 second-overall pick Chet Holmgren returning, it’s understandable to see how another substantial jump could occur. However, the western conference is a gauntlet that a young team like the Thunder could struggle to navigate.