12. Oklahoma City Thunder
Coming off a 24-win season, you’d have to think that the Oklahoma City Thunder are eventually going to take steps forward as a franchise in terms of winning. And perhaps this is finally the year that we see the Thunder be somewhat competitive in the Western Conference.
The Thunder has a solid core of rising (potential) stars in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Lu Dort, and Aleksej Pokusevski, and a few other young talents that could blossom into really good players themselves down the line in Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams.
It’s about time that the Thunder begins to see their young talent translate into on-the-court success. Not only does this franchise deserve it, but they’ve done the long rebuild the right way. The dividends are coming, perhaps even this season.