General manager Sam Presti has been the one constant at Oklahoma City. Specifically, Presti has been on the job since the franchise was in Seattle. Following three years of a major overhaul and NBA future odds rebuild, the Oklahoma City Thunder are back as an NBA contender. From 2010 through 2020, the Thunder missed the NBA Playoffs only once and never had a losing season. But the past three seasons have been on the outside looking in when it comes to the postseason. Now, they are on their way back.
NBA 2024 Oklahoma City Thunder Odds
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Odds |
|---|---|
| 2024 NBA Championship Odds: | +1800 |
Oklahoma City Thunder Team Overview
Accordingly, Presti has proven his worth time and again. But this rebuild affirms his status as one of the best. Oklahoma City is in the fight with the Minnesota Timberwolves, LA Clippers, and Denver Nuggets for the top spot in the Western Conference.
Overall, Oklahoma City has NBA metrics of 4th for scoring offense, 2nd for field goal percentage, 3rd for 3-point field goal percentage, 1st for free throw percentage, and 25th for offensive rebounding. On defense, the Thunder have NBA metrics of 12th for scoring defense, 2nd for field goal percentage permitted, 14th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 25th for defensive rebounding.
At the approach of the All-Star Break, the Oklahoma City Thunder are 35-15 straight up, 31-19 against the spread, and 28-22 over/under the online betting total. Late on, Oklahoma City has covered one out of their last five games. While the Thunder have gone under the total in six of its previous nine matchups. Oklahoma City is 1st in the Western Conference playoff standings. Sacramento is 5.5 games behind the Thunder in the Western Conference playoff race.
Oklahoma City Thunder Key Players and Coach
Since 2020, Mark Daigneault has been the head coach. Following his NBA odds time serving as an assistant from 2016 through 2020. He was a previous assistant and is a disciple of former Thunder coaching great Billy Donovan.
Namely, PG Shai Gilgeous Alexander leads Oklahoma City with 31.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. Gilgeous Alexander was the 11th overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft out of Kentucky by the Charlotte Hornets. Also, he is a 2-time NBA All-Star, including this season. Gilgeous Alexander is coming off a career campaign last year and is matching his performance this season.
F Jalen Williams is averaging 18.7 points per game. Previously, Williams was the 12th overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft out of Santa Clara by the Thunder. Last year, as a rookie, he averaged 14.1 points per game. His steady improvement has been a key to the Thunder’s success.
PF Chet Holmgren is averaging 16.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest. Holmgren was the 2nd overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft out of Gonzaga by the Thunder. Last year, as a rookie, Holmgren averaged 14.1 points per game.
Oklahoma City Thunder History
Since their move to Oklahoma City from Seattle in 2008, the Thunder have been a consistent playoff team. They made the NBA Finals in just their fourth season in Oklahoma, and they made the playoffs in 10 of their first 12 years in their new home.
Oklahoma City was a title contender for a half-decade. Still, the Thunder gave us one of the biggest what-if scenarios in the modern-day NBA after they traded James Harden to the Houston Rockets after the 2012 season. Of course, Harden established himself as a future Hall of Famer in Houston, and that move was part of why Durant wanted out of OKC.