Oklahoma City Thunder
Chrismas wishlist: A route back to relevance
Like many other rebuilding teams on this list, the Oklahoma City Thunder won’t be heading into the season with much expectation. After trading Dennis Schroder and Chris Paul during the offseason, the Thunder will likely be taking a big step back and will be falling out of the playoff picture in the Western Conference this season.
Something that plays into the favor of the Thunder, however, is the fact that they have a myriad of assets at their disposal. They have several first-round picks over the next few seasons that they could flip for a star if they want to change course and try to enter win-now mode.
Though, what the Thunder will be looking for hoping for this holiday season, is finding fundamental pieces to catapult their next rebuild. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could be the first of those pieces.