OKC Thunder Exit Interview Tracker: What Players Are Saying After 2023-24 Season

The Oklahoma City Thunder are holding their annual exit interviews following the 2023-24 season. Here is what the players and head coach Mark Daigneault are saying in reflection of the year.

May 18, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) warms up / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

This led the OKC Thunder to hold their annual exit interviews on Sunday with plenty of learn-about and storylines to track down. Each player on the roster as well as head coach Mark Daigneault will talk with the assembled media for the final time to close the book on the 2023-24 season. This is set to be an all-day affair.

Things started out with Daigneault taking the podium to thank the players, fans and organization for this season before launching the media into pelting him and players with questions one by one. This event is not live-streamed so this tracker will be constantly updated throughout the day as new quotes become available from exit interviews.

The Oklahoma City Thunder started out with head coach Mark Daigneault, then moved on to Mike Muscala, Bismack Biyombo, Gordon Hayward, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Kenrich Williams, Isaiah Joe, Josh Giddey, Aaron Wiggins, Lindy Waters III, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Ousmane Dieng, Jaylin Williams and Cason Wallace. The list will continue to be updated as players come expected to be in order of seniority.

Mark Daigneault was asked about the trade deadline and not adding a big “I thought we had everything we needed” pic.twitter.com/DEvAHdTR4z

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Mark Daigneault on Chet Holmgren “This is the lowest level of Chet Holmgren,” mentioned it’s easy to project progress/development for Chet “he sleeps in his sneakers” pic.twitter.com/Qz7RfItwf6

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Mark Daigneault’s antithesis to the “I’m a man, I’m 40!” speech pic.twitter.com/AmhXohDkSs

— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) May 19, 2024

Mark Diagneault on when he sensed this team was uncommon

“My first year”

A story about T-shirts in seats and the uncommon maturity of the Thunder roster pic.twitter.com/TBKguCf9N5

— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) May 19, 2024

Mike Muscala "It was awesome and I feel so grateful for the opportunity to come back."

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Mike Muscala on the Thunder organization: "It means a lot. I went through a lot in my life, when I was here. Just the city, the fans, the way they support the team. What the team means to the community... I will always be a Thunder fan no matter what happens in my life."

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Mike Muscala on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander "I was very impressed and blown away early on from playing with him. He is such a gifted and very calm, cool, player. That even in the game last night, in a high-pressure game, he was just so composed...It has been awesome to see."

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Mike Muscala on Chet Holmgren "His competitiveness and he is always fighting hard every play. He will run back hard in transition, he will make the right rotation defensively, it is a lot of little things...I think he is the most underrated shot blocker in the NBA.

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Bismack Biyombo said playing with this Thunder team was a reminder to "Enjoy life a little bit, while playing basketball"

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Bismack Biyombo on Chet Holmgren "I study players and tend to understand players. I think Chet is an extremely talented guy...In order for you to [play all 82 games] it takes commitment and sacrifice." said that says a lot about Chet that he did that as a rookie.

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Biyombo, talked about being "in a room full of people that just don't have wishes, they have a will", before highlighting Chet specifically:

"I think what he has done for himself deserves the respect that we must give him... He's a believer with a will."

— Nick Gallo (@NickAGallo) May 19, 2024

Bismack Biyombo "Shai is like my little brother," said "The commitment that he has to continue to get better, even though he is playing at that level, says a lot about him."

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Bismack Biyombo said Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is going to be the MVP of the league soon "He should have been this year, anyways"

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Gordon Hayward on his reduced role "Disappointing with how it all kinda worked out. It is not what I thought it would be. Certainly frustrating, but it is what it is."

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Gordon Hayward "I feel like I have a lot to offer and wasn't given much of an opportunity to do that."

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Gordon Hayward discussing the Thunder "They'll be good for years to come" reiterates he is disappointed in how it worked out "It is what it is, It is"

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Gordon Hayward on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander "He was unreal. Not only in the postseason, obviously the entire year, to lead the team to the No. 1 seed in the west. I know he puts a lot into it."

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Gordon Hayward on the low volume of shots "That is a credit to the role that I was in," mentioned a lack of touches

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Gordon Hayward on Daigneault "I think he is a great young coach, extremely prepared. Hard worker, I think some of the stuff that he is doing is unique, new, really smart. Just little nuances just the game within the game. Tricks to win a possession back or get a quick bucket"

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander “you can feel the togetherness of this group” he said “it feels like it’s unusual period. I’ve never been this close to a basketball team in my life. Maybe my AAU team.”

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Asked Shai how he views the idea of championship windows and their duration: "I don't know if I don't believe in a window or I don't focus on it, but I feel like a window is like looking into the future and looking into something you can't control. All you can do is try to make…

— Joel Lorenzi (@jxlorenzi) May 19, 2024

Daigneault said he wanted to use last night's pain as an investment. I asked Shai if he hopes to weaponize/harbor that feeling: "100%. The moment I stepped off the court, it felt like, 'well, we're here.' We lost. We lost for a reason, and all you can do is learn and get better…

— Joel Lorenzi (@jxlorenzi) May 19, 2024

"When I fail and lose is when I'm most motivated"

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) May 19, 2024

Shai on growth ahead:

"I'll work on efficiency in every area. You can always be better defensively on and off the ball. Just continuing to make sure my game doesn't hinder people around me or hinder the development of my teammates, which is just as important as my development."

— Nick Gallo (@NickAGallo) May 19, 2024

SGA on whether this team has what it takes to win a championship:

“I feel like we can do anything we want to do..

If I told someone last season we’d be the #1 team in the West, they’d laugh at me.”

SGA says if the team puts enough work in and does the right things on and off…

— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 19, 2024

SGA on his success and accolades:

“Sometimes I sit back and it’s surreal. Just like where I was a decade ago and where I am now.

You’re always taught to dream big and believe in yourself. Growing up, I was a little delusional some would say…

But I always had a feeling I’d…

— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 19, 2024

"It's an honor to be part of a team and organization like this, that puts the team first"

Kenrich Williams

— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) May 19, 2024

Kenrich Williams was asked about calling Jalen Williams a future All Star his rookie season:

“Yeah I’m thinking about being a GM in the future. [laughs]

He’s just a different type of guy. He’s got a different type of swag to him. You add that to the gifts and abilities he has.”

— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 19, 2024

Lu Dort “it’s painful…nobody would feel okay after losing a playoff series” said they’ll use it as motivation and it’ll be in the back of his head “for the rest of my career, honestly”

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Lu Dort on this season:

“I’m real proud. We battled all season.

We had joy just being around each other.

We had a big step from last season to next season. I can’t wait to see what comes next.”

— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 19, 2024

Lu Dort “I mean, definitely” when asked if he has goals of being on the All-Defensive team eventually or the Defensive Player of the Year award.

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Dort on his upcoming offseason:

"I'll work on everything and try to sharpen my game. I've been having the same game for the past five seasons. It's gonna be the same. I'm not gonna turn into Shai in one off season."

— Nick Gallo (@NickAGallo) May 19, 2024

Dort on Shai's leadership:

"It's amazing to see his preparation, how he gets ready for games. Then he never shies away from the big moments. As a teammate and a brother it's big to see that and also, it gives me confidence to go out there and be like, 'I got your back'."

— Nick Gallo (@NickAGallo) May 19, 2024

Lu Dort on being recognized by players as a top defender but what needs to happen to be recognized with All Defense accolades:

“I think they need to watch our games, really [laughs]. We do the same things every night.”

Dort says the team worked their way up to more people…

— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 19, 2024

Isaiah Joe on starting the final playoff games and what the conversation was like going into that pic.twitter.com/xxVw42utC3

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Joe on if he reflects on OKC picking him up 18 months ago:

"All the time. You can never forget where you came from - the journey, the grind, that's what it's about. Knocking down barriers everywhere you go. Just continue to grow as a person, continue to grow as an organization."

— Nick Gallo (@NickAGallo) May 19, 2024

Isaiah Joe on the playoffs:

"It's an opportunity I would never take for granted. It's really intense out there. The fan reaction on both sides are always amazing, at an all time high. It's just a huge honor to be in those positions to be able to play in those types of games."

— Nick Gallo (@NickAGallo) May 19, 2024

Isaiah Joe:

"Guys, they look within the team for everything that they do... We do a really good job of staying within ourselves, staying within the team and whatever we do, whatever we're working on, even off the court things whenever it comes to representing OKC."

— Nick Gallo (@NickAGallo) May 19, 2024

Josh Giddey opened up about being removed from the starting five and how he was a bad teammate in Game 1 but made a promise to himself to change. pic.twitter.com/lyPCiB7kNl

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Josh Giddey “coach did what’s best for the team and to be honest I probably agree with him” on him being benched

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

“Shooting is the big one” Josh Giddey said that is top of mind to improve this summer

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

I asked Josh Giddey what the conversations were like leading up to him being benched this week given Mark Daigneault’s track record of transparency and he mentioned it was actually a conversation the two had before the playoffs even began.

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Josh Giddey “there’s been days you don’t feel like getting out of bed…I’m just lucky to have people around me that care”

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Aaron Wiggins on what parts of the playoffs required experience: "I just think there were times on the court where we might have had a certain number of turnovers in a row or something. Maybe with experience we learn to gather ourselves, slow down a little bit. Find our rhythm.…

— Joel Lorenzi (@jxlorenzi) May 19, 2024

Aaron Wiggins on Thunder fans:

“The crowd, the fans, the atmosphere.. Above and beyond.

Compared to where we played [on the road], our fans are one of a kind. Everyone wears the shirts.

The people who are behind us, who root for us, goes a long way.

It’s one a kind here.”

— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 19, 2024

Aaron Wiggins said his best skill is "the ability to be willing to do what it takes to win"

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Lindy Waters III "The Pride of Oklahoma is something we try to express to each other....We are a very proud community"

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Lindy Waters III on what he is working on this summer "Continue to improve on my health, my body, my mind, my spirit. Just continue to grow as a human being and I think that will take care of everything."

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Lindy Waters III on Ousmane Dieng "I believe he will be ready for his opportunity when his number is called."

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Chet Holmgren on Mark Daigneault’s assignment that this is the lowest we will see Chet as he continues to develop pic.twitter.com/6FclNwGbEX

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Chet Holmgren on the idea of Championship windows mentioned nothing is guaranteed: pic.twitter.com/K1bDMZ1brI

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Chet Holmgren: “I love the off-season. I love working out. I love playing pick up.”

— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 19, 2024

Chet Holmgren on Lu Dort not getting
All Defense/DPOY recognition:

“I don’t know what more he can do honestly.

He deserves more votes, more recognition for that stuff.

Nobody should have to say it, it should be obvious.

I think these playoffs opened some eyes.”

— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 19, 2024

Chet Holmgren on OKC’s chemistry: “It’s hard to put in words. I haven’t been on a bunch of different teams in my career.. but you could feel this is a special team, a special locker room.”

— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 19, 2024

Jalen Williams on social media and the criticism that comes with it: pic.twitter.com/p74gPVNtzo

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Jalen Williams on the disappointment of the playoff loss:

“There’s no other team that I’d rather have that feeling with because I know there’s a bunch of other motivated guys in that locker room with me.”

— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 19, 2024

JDub on Mark Daigneault:

"He's been really good. That comes from understanding the personnel that he has on the floor. He's been throwing us in so many different lineups and given us all different looks with each other that it really helped us later in the season."

— Nick Gallo (@NickAGallo) May 19, 2024

Jalen Williams on OKC’s chemistry:

“We’re really connected..

We have a close knit group of guys… it’s hard to replicate that… it happened organically. It grew into something more.”

— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 19, 2024

Ousmane Dieng says he's felt much more comfortable this year working on his shot technique and is excited to keep honing it this summer.

"Keep working on my shot, keep working on my body. Keep working on everything."

— Nick Gallo (@NickAGallo) May 19, 2024

Ousmane Dieng on his year:

"The whole process was a great experience... My first playoff run and G League playoffs and the championship was a really good experience for me, especially the playoffs. Playing a series, playing important games, that was that was really good."

— Nick Gallo (@NickAGallo) May 19, 2024

Ousmane Dieng on the OKC playoff crowd:

“It was crazy. I think we got the best fans in the league.

Everybody was wearing the shirt and everybody was screaming. It was amazing.”

— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 19, 2024

Ousmane Dieng on the Thunder:

“It feels like a family. Everybody is happy when somebody does something good.. Everybody is helping everybody..

It’s fun. It’s amazing.”

— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 19, 2024

Jaylin Williams asked about his role in bringing fun to the team: “I don’t look at it as a role, I’m just being myself.

A lot of that is my teammates, they bring it out of me.”

— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 19, 2024

Jaylin Williams said his body is his main focus this year, looking to get stronger and in better shape.

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Jaylin Williams on Josh Giddey:

“Gidd’s my guy. He’ll forever be my guy..

I know he’s gone through a lot this year.. He was still a great teammate.. a great player..

I love playing with Gidd. He’s a great guy.”

— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) May 19, 2024

Jaylin Williams mentioned how close him and Josh Giddey are, calling him tough and commending him for the way he adjusted to being moved to the bench.

“I’m definitely gonna continue talking to him,” he said.

— Joel Lorenzi (@jxlorenzi) May 19, 2024

Cason Wallace said he just wanted to be available when talking about playing all 82 games “I was told, availability is the best ability”

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Cason Wallace said he doesn’t know if the plan is for him to play summer league at, he hasn’t talked to the coaches about that yet.

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

I asked Cason Wallace who he has leaned on to navigate this rookie season he credited Eric Maynor and said he had some of his “best shooting seasons ever” and again credits that to Maynor

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Cason Wallace said he is excited to be done with rookie duties like singing and bringing the speaker on to every flight. Said Keyontae Johnson is a much better singer than him and Keyontae “stays singing”

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) May 19, 2024

Up next, Sam Presti will hold his 2023-24 exit interview at a later date which will then send the OKC Thunder fully into the offseason with the next assembled media meeting not until the NBA Draft in late June.

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