As the season gets closer. The question that constantly gets asked: Who’s in line for a breakout season for the Thunder? There is a case for multiple players that could take the next step and breakout for the Thunder, as there is a lot of young talent on this roster.
The Thunder are in great position heading into championship contention. With another year of growth and experience, the Thunder are looking to take another step towards winning the championship. If the young players can take the next step and provide a massive boost, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Thunder put it all together during the 2024-25 season.
Here’s three potential breakout players for the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 2024-25 season.
3 Thunder Players in Line for a Breakout Season
Cason Wallace
Majority of the spotlight this past season was on fellow rookie Chet Holmgren, their No. 2 pick from the 2022 NBA Draft. In which, he immediately made an impact for the Thunder — putting together a great rookie campaign that only rivaled the San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama for the Rookie of the Year award.
Holmgren wasn’t the only rookie who played his way into an important role on the Thunder roster. Guard Cason Wallace quietly and quickly became a key contributor on the Thunder’s bench and received All-Rookie Second Team honors.
Wallace appeared in all of OKC’s 82 games and the entirety of the postseason, asserting himself as a consistent and reliable option, not only as the backup guard but even as a starter at times.
During his rookie season, it didn’t take long for him to get comfortable with the Thunder. He’s didn’t overstep offensively and do too much, but when he did look to score, he did it very efficiently. Defensively, he made an immediate impact — he’s as tenacious as they come, adding to an strong group of high-level perimeter defenders.
Heading into his sophomore season, the Thunder have indicated that Wallace will have a larger role. With the departure of Josh Giddey, he’s the lead backup guard behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and has plenty of opportunity to work his way into the starting shooting guard position depending on the matchup. There’s clear potential for a second-year jump, and he’s a strong breakout candidate.
The reason why it’s believed that Wallace is a breakout candidate is because he did everything the right way during his rookie campaign. Wallace shot 49% from the field and 42% from deep — which is an impressive feat for any guard, but especially for a rookie guard. Plus the way he defends and being able to make high-IQ decisions on a game-by-game basis. With a year under his belt, expecting anything less than him to continue to progress is hard to believe.
Wallace knows what steps he needs to take — in order to take a leap, and it comes down to being more confident in his game, which every indication from this offseason — the Thunder will encourage him to be more decisive.
After establishing himself as a key part of the Thunder’s core last season, Wallace will have every opportunity to increase his offensive output with more responsibility. There’s an expectation for him to improve, and I believe he will be one of the most improved players on the roster, even if his numbers don’t pop out.
Aaron Wiggins
With how deep and talented the Thunder’s roster is, there are talented players who go under the radar.
Aaron Wiggins is a perfect example of that for a majority of his first three seasons with the Thunder. Due to him forcing himself into the rotation, he’s a valuable contributor off the Thunder’s bench. His counting stats may not be eye-popping or he may not receive starting minutes, he’s a reliable jack-of-all-trades type of role player who can fit with any player on the roster.
Wiggins could have a bigger role on a lot of NBA teams, but Wiggins is a selfless player and winning is his main priority — as he’s sacrificed his personal stats and having a bigger role on a lesser team for winning.
Wiggins mindset was rewarded — as the Thunder signed him to a five-year, $47 million contract extension.
If the Thunder have injury issues this upcoming season, they are well equipped to deal with injuries. Wiggins is a player who can take on a bigger role. When he got extended minutes and was forced to take on bigger roles — majority of the times he delivered. Having players who can step up in tight situations is important for contenders, so extending him in was a priority.
Through his first three years, Wiggins has cemented himself into the Thunder’s rotation. Extending Wiggins to a five-year, $47 million deal — the Thunder sees him as a priority moving forward, which could lead to a more consistent role and minutes for Wiggins.
With more consistent minutes, you’ll see an uptick in his production, an uprise in national attention for him, though Thunder fans already know Wiggins is underrated. His counting numbers may not standout but Wiggins could be a candidate to breakout for the Thunder.
Chet Holmgren
This is an easy choice for Thunder fans. However; it is believed that the national media is underrating — how much improved Chet Holmgren will be this upcoming season.
After missing his first year with a Lisfranc injury, Holmgren appeared in all of OKC’s 82 games and the entirety of the postseason, as he averaged 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 blocks on 53/37/79 shooting splits.
The 7-foot-1 big was the Thunder’s second/third player (depending on who you ask) behind MVP runner-up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.
Due to OKC’s five-out offensive system and the players the Thunder had to fill specific roles, Holmgren couldn’t showcase his full arsenal.
This upcoming season, the Thunder have constructed a roster that will allow him to fully showcase his talent.
During his rookie campaign with the Thunder, he was relegated to more of a limited role alongside playmakers in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Josh Giddey. He was also OKC’s lone big man; 6-foot-9 Jaylin Williams was the only other big in Mark Daigneault’s rotation.
After the Thunder’s deficiencies were exposed in the playoffs, General Manager Sam Presti signed — Isaiah Hartenstein from New York.
With the addition of Hartenstein, it relieves a lot of pressure off of Holmgren, and now Holmgren is free to show everything in his arsenal.
With Josh Giddey’s departure, the Thunder has indicated that Holmgren will take on more playmaking duties. He and Hartenstein can play together, allowing Holmgren to roam the perimeter, hunting open shots and attacking closeouts and mismatches.
When him and Hartenstein share the floor defensively, Holmgren can play as a roamer and help defender. Or, when Holmgren is the lone big on the floor, the Thunder are better equipped for their five-out offensive system.
With a full offseason (free of rehabbing from a Lisfranc injury), Holmgren is in prime position to breakout.
