3 Things OKC Thunder Must Do To Accomplish Title Goals

The Oklahoma City Thunder have lofty title goals, and three key things must be accomplished in order to win an NBA Championship.

Apr 10, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; (L-R) Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) and forward Jaylin Williams (6) and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and forward Jalen Williams (8) and forward Chet Holmgren (7) watch their team play against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images / Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Everyone is making their NBA title picks this week, and a popular selection has been the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite their youth and inexperience, the Thunder have all the pieces needed to contend this season.

Though, to reach these lofty goals, the Thunder will have to accomplish three key things.

Oct 17, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) gestures after scoring against the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images / Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

1) Up the 3-Point Volume

This has been the talk of training camp in Oklahoma City, with Mark Daigneault going as far as to call out rising star Jalen Williams and Aaron Wiggins by name - however, it is not just that duo that has seen a 3-point mindset change.

Superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander not only has a refine jump shot which looks not only smoother but quicker, but was launching triples in exhibition play. For the Thunder to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy, they must up the 3-point volume and walk the walk after talking the talk.

A year ago, Oklahoma City was the best 3-point shooting team in the NBA by percentages, but ranked just 16th in attempts per game. Even at the cost of a few percentage points, the Thunder have to increase their attempts.

Dec 26, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) celebrates with Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) after scoring against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images / Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

2) Rising Stars Take a Leap

For all the noise about the Thunder's improvements this season - which have been great, the team truly bolstered a 57 win unit - when push comes to shove in the postseason it is a star driven league.

Oklahoma City is leaning on a bonafide superstar, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and a pair of rising stars - Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren - who will be in their second ever playoff run after falling short against Dallas in the second round of last postseason.

The additions will be moot if the Thunder do not see Williams and Holmgren produce at a No. 2 and No. 3 scoring options in the playoffs.

Though, there is reason to believe that flip will switch. Already in the preseason, the Thunder have enjoyed a more aggressive offensive approach from each youngster. if that trend continues this team will be able to reach the NBA Finals and battle for the Larry O'Brien trophy.

Alex Caruso is pictured during the Thunder media day at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. / NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

3) Capitalize on Closing Lineup Flexibility

Mark Daigneault has been incredible since taking over as the Thunder bench boss and if there is one thing everyone knows the sideline pacer will do it is experiment. Now, he actually has the tools to mix and match a closing lineup that can be effective in every situation.

Playing a large team down the stretch of a game? Have Holmgren share the floor with Isaiah Hartenstein. If the offense is lagging behind? Lean all in on Isaiah Joe and Alex Caruso - two sharpshooters from beyond the arc - surronding Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren and Jalen Williams.

Desperate for a stop in the end? Get funky with your defenders like Cason Wallace, Lu Dort, Alex Caruso and Chet Holmgren all sharing the floor together with one of Jalen Williams or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in there.

There are plenty of options and knowing Daigneault's background of tinkering, it feels like a key to success this season will be the fluidity of the closing lineups - whereas most teams lean on their "best five" every night regardless of situation, the Thunder can create advantages with an ever-changing closing group.

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