30 in 30: Will this finally be the year for the Oklahoma City Thunder?

Oklahoma City Thunder Mark Daigneault (Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
Oklahoma City Thunder Mark Daigneault (Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
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Josh Giddey
Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Josh Giddey Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Giddey needs to step up for the Oklahoma City Thunder

In the absence of Chet Holmgren this season, all eyes will be on second-year player Josh Giddey to take an even bigger role within the team. Coming off a rookie season in which he averaged 13 points, eight rebounds, and six assists on 42 percent shooting from the field, it’s not that outlandish of a thought.

Giddey is an intriguing talent that showed promise throughout his rookie season. He may not be the game-changing player on the offensive end of the floor that turns heads, but there’s no question that he could be a valuable player for the Thunder this season. And if he can take another step in his progression, he could help take some of the pressure off of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Thunder has a strong young core but every young core needs a player or two to step up above the rest. SGA has consistently done that for the last three years for OKC. They need a second to join his ranks on the team, and Giddey may very well be that player this season.