The Oklahoma City Thunder is scheduled for rotation ripple.
The Thunder picked up four rookies, including three top 12 picks, so the organization plans to shuffle the deck in rotation. After the dismissal of forward Isaiah Robbie in July, the franchise has retained its standard 18-man roster, three more than the league’s maximum quota. With two of his Exhibit-10 additional duos, he holds his 22-man roster over 20, which is currently the largest number in training his camp.
A roster turnover for the Oklahoma City Thunder is a given for the 2022-23 season. However, it’s time for tips to help show off-season finished products.
throughout the week Inside the Thunderto rate what I imagine will be the Thunder’s opening rotation for the regular season.
For the purposes of this article on this topic, Josh Guiddy will be listed as a shooting guard based on the franchise’s starting lineup during the 2021-22 season.
Additionally, these minutes are based solely on my predictions for the Thunder’s Day One rotation. As introduced a few years ago, the franchise changed rotation times based on performance and injuries. Although changes are expected, these minute allocations do not take into account potential injuries or future rotation adjustments.
Here is a breakdown of the projected central rotation of the thunder:
Chet Holmgren – 29 minutes
Since starting a rebuild two seasons ago, the Oklahoma City Thunder have needed fixes, especially in the frontcourt and three-point shooting divisions. Chet Holmgren needs to help with these factors while also adding a lot more.
As a 7-foot center, Holmgren took over the Salt Lake Summer League, posting 23 points and a summer league-record six blocks in his debut. In his only season with Gonzaga, Holmgren had the top shot in the country, from both on-ball and off-ball conversions, while shooting from near 40% deep, making him one of his blockers. I climbed up to
Holmgren is set to be the peanut butter of the Thunder’s backcourt jelly. Adding a deadly pick-and-pop threat with playmaking ability to the on-ball threats of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey and Tre Mann is a match made in heaven. Alone, Holmgren carries the burden of being a star-studded player in transition and a good decision maker on halfcourt.
Holmgren should be seeing a lot of 30+ minute output, but starting the season with a not-so-high average time per minute will give him insight into fatigue, while also giving him a lot of rotation. It should prove useful.
Mike Mascara – 14 minutes
After an impressive 2020-21 season with the Thunder, Mike Mascara looked set to retire in free agency. But his appreciation for the franchise led to a resurgence last season.
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Muscala, 31, is one of the clear veteran leaders on the roster. His growth curve may be on the decline, but his current skill set will allow him to easily gain time for the start of the season.
Muscala has been plus/minus over the past two seasons, amplifying his teammates last season with a team-high 42.9% 3-point clip. At 6-foot-10, Muscara had positioned himself as a trusty stretch of his five, opening up an inner cavity that wouldn’t exist without him.
There are plenty of prospects looking for minutes, but it’s imperative to establish the best potential rotation for the start of the season. Mike Mascara is definitely thrown into these assortments.
Jalyn Williams – G League
No. 34 pick Jaylin Williams’ energy permeated the Summer League floor. Coming into his rookie season, he’s looking to make an impact in the big leagues.
Williams ticks the Thunder’s box as a hustler, notably leading D-1 basketball with a draw last season. Averaging him 10.9 points and he nearly double-doubles with 9.8 rebounds, Williams has a solid feel for the game around the basket but still needs some extra reps.
With limited playing time at the NBA level, Williams will spend November and December furiously at the Oklahoma City Blue to fine-tune his pick-and-roll, establish a midrange game, and keep his energy up. will give him a rare opportunity to heavy play.
Williams are the frontrunners to close out the season. But at the start of it, he’s waiting for an opportunity.
Derrick Favors – Fringe Roster
Acquired just after the 2021 NBA Draft, Derrick Favors adds a veteran presence to the Thunder.
Favors played that role for the Thunder last season, averaging 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in 16.7 minutes. He started in 18 of 39 appearances.
Favors, a former Top 3 pick, would be the perfect mentor for the Gonzaga Bulldogs as the Thunder filled the center spot with Chet Holmgren. However, the Thunder’s looming roster crisis could gain favor before the season even begins.
He still has NBA-level talent, but the Thunder’s abundance of rookies and perimeter play favors them outside of the five desirable archetypes.
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