The Oklahoma City Thunder have had an interesting and busy offseason, which includes — key additions and departures.
Over the last few seasons, a number of players who at one point in their careers played for the Thunder, are now on different teams as these former Thunder players face new beginnings with new teams.
With these fresh opportunities for these players to reset and, to some, put recent hardships and struggles to rest as they look to have a strong and bounce-back 2024-25 season.
There are a few former Thunder players, who could realistically find themselves thriving during the upcoming season.
Former Thunder Players Who Can Succeed This Season
Josh Giddey
Arguably the biggest move made by the Thunder this offseason was the trade that brought Alex Caruso to OKC for Josh Giddey.
The majority of the NBA media and fanbase believe that OKC got the better deal, there’s a case to be made for the Chicago Bulls, as they got in return, a young player with high upside.
The big question for the Bulls: Have they finally decided to rebuild or are they still looking to push for a playoff spot in the East?
Regardless of which direction they choose to take, Giddey is a potential building block for the Bulls and a player who helps complement them along the way.
Only 21 years old, Giddey is a floor general in a wing’s body (standing at 6-foot-8) who has already completed three seasons in the NBA.
During his tenure with the Thunder, he has shown the ability to run an offense due to his elite court vision and his ability to fill multiple positions due to his unique skillset at his size. Giddey averaged 13.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and shot 46.3 percent from the floor during this tenure with the Thunder.
It’s obvious that Giddey is at his best when he’s the primary ball-handler, which the numbers back it up — in games without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giddey averaged 15.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists.
Following a tough 2023-24 season filled with off-the-court issues and playing a role on the court that didn’t fit him at all, Giddey will be the primary ball-handler in Chicago and will be playing with a chip on his shoulders as he enters a contract year.
With extra motivation and something to prove, plus the Bulls gearing towards a rebuild and them in need of a pure point guard, don’t be surprised if the former lottery pick is in Most Improved conversations this upcoming season.
Tre Mann
Tre Mann was traded to the Charlotte Hornets during the past season’s trade deadline. It’s a trade that Charlotte really benefitted from.
The Hornets received Mann, Davis Bertans, Vasilije Micic, and two-second rounds. Without question, the biggest piece of that trade is former first-round pick Mann. In 28 games with the Hornets, he averaged 11.9 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 45 percent from the field and 36 percent from deep.
With the Thunder’s depth limiting Mann’s opportunities, Mann being traded to Charlotte gave him the opportunity for a restart and more playing time. With the given opportunity, the combo guard looked like a real rotation option after landing in Charlotte.
This past season, Mann had 21 games of scoring double-figures, 18 came with the Hornets. Mann is a crafty ball-handler with creation skills, who flashed playmaking skills with Charlotte. Mann could be the kind of rising talent and a hidden gem — a rebuilder like the Hornets desperately need. Mann can play on or off the ball, which is a good fit next to their top building blocks in LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.
If Mann replicates or builds on his production since arriving in Charlotte, Mann would give the Hornets an intriguing third guard with the potential to be more than that.
With a full offseason, training camp, and with Charlotte still in rebuild mode — don’t be surprised if Mann thrives in Charlotte this upcoming season.
Chris Paul
The one-time Thunder has found himself on the decline over the last couple of seasons, as Chris Paul has gone from an MVP candidate and perennial All-Star to, last season, coming off the bench for the Golden State Warriors.
Now, going into his 20th season, after his underwhelming 2023-24 season, there’s legitimate concern over whether the 39-year-old has enough gas left in his tank to both make a significant impact on a team alone while also possessing the ability to make it through an entire 82-game season injury free.
While it’s hard to erase the injury concerns, due to how difficult those things are to project, regarding the effect he will have on this young and talented San Antonio Spurs team, it truly could prove to be reminiscent of his one-and-done stint with OKC back during the 2019-20 season.
Despite only playing 58 games, 40 of which were with him coming off the bench, when utilized in his more traditional role as a focal point, and primary floor general the veteran proved he’s still impactful.
During his 18 starts on the year, Paul displayed his impact on the court with floor general skills, as he averaged 11.9 points, 7.3 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.4 steals on 46.2 percent shooting from the floor and 44.2 percent shooting from deep.
While these numbers may not be prime CP3 productivity, they were put up sporadically due to his constant role change with — head coach Steve Kerr.
Now on a Spurs team led by Gregg Popovich and with rising superstar Victor Wembanyama leading the charge, it should be expected that Paul will be tasked with leading the charge as the primary ball handler and floor general to help get the reigning Rookie of the Year, as well as the rest of talented young supporting cast consisting of Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle, better looks at scoring opportunities while receiving vital veteran leadership from — the Point God.
Assuming he stays relatively healthy this upcoming season, don’t be surprised if Paul flourishes in San Antonio.
Main Image: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
