Oklahoma City Thunder got eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in the second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Leading the way was Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, who helped Dallas win 117-116 in a thrilling game on Saturday.
Even if the Thunder’s season ended in disappointment, the loss still hurts. For one of the newest teams in the NBA with one of the brightest futures, perspective is essential.
NBA expert Keith Smith responded to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s season on Twitter: “The Thunder being this good AND having $35M in cap space is terrifying for the rest of the NBA. They don’t need to lose a single rotation player to create that much space either.”,
The Thunder’s 40-42 record in 2022–2023 placed them 10th in the West, earning them a play-in game. However, they could not get the two victories necessary to advance to the postseason. Chet Holmgren’s rookie season was also great; he learned a lot.
Nonetheless, Oklahoma City Thunder showed noteworthy progress in the subsequent season. They concluded with an astounding 57-25 record and secured the top seed in the Western Conference. Along with Boston, they were among just two teams ranked in the top four for defensive and offensive efficiency.
Oklahoma City Thunder Will Use Their Cap Flexibility to Gain More Capable Players
With $97.2 million invested in their players, only the Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and Toronto Raptors have less money than the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 2024–25 campaign.
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The Thunder have a great chance to use their versatility with this. Even if they chase a great player, they should be able to avoid the anticipated $172 million luxury tax threshold. With many first-round selections, Presti can use the draft picks or trade them for players who can contribute immediately.
Oklahoma City Thunder is explicitly looking for help with perimeter wings surrounding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and inside depth for scoring and rebounding to address areas of need. The Thunder are well-positioned to meet these needs because of Presti’s strategic approach and the team’s resources.
