Thunder: 3 way too early bold OKC predictions for 2022-23 NBA season

Oklahoma City Thunder have been one of the worst teams in the NBA over the last two seasons. Sam Presti decided to rebuild the team after trading Chris Paul in 2020. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is being developed as the franchise cornerstone. Chet Holmgren, Josh Giddey, and Luguentz Dort are also forming the nucleus of OKC.

Chet Holmgren was expected to be drafted at No. 2 by the Thunder. He would have been a better fit with Gilgeous-Alexander and Giddey than with Jabari Smith. The NBA's style of play has been evolving and versatile and scoring wings are more valuable than slower bigs.

Josh Giddey will be a contender for Most Improved Player in 2022-23 NBA season. He will gain confidence as a scorer and improve his efficiency. His 3P% will improve to around 33% next season, when he develops a more consistent jump shot.

The Oklahoma City Thunder tanked the past two seasons. They will try to get the final play-in tournament spot. The team will be an underdog. The Los Angeles Lakers will not move back into the top 10. Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs will fall out. Houston Rockets will probably be bad again. Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, and Thunder are the other teams fighting for a spot in the play offs.