Inside The Thunder

NBA Front Office Members Pick OKC Thunder to Win West

The NBA General Manager Survey revealed front office members picking the OKC Thunder to win the Western Conference.

Rylan Stiles

Mar 14, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates with forward Jalen Williams (8) after he dunked against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates with forward Jalen Williams (8) after he dunked against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports / Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
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With the NBA season right around the corner, ESPN has produced their annual NBA GM survey. A look around the association through the lens of the league’s top decision makers. 

In this survey, the Oklahoma City Thunder unsurprisingly found themselves littered all over the article. One of the areas they dominated in was no surprise. 

The Bricktown boys were voted the most likely to win the Western Conference, seeing 14 decision makers cast their vote for the Thunder, with two votes placed for each of the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves. 

This is a popular pick among pundits as well, even earning the best odds in Vegas to take home the Western Conference. 

The believe in the Thunder is warranted. A year ago Oklahoma City ripped off 57 wins, enjoyed a top five offense and defense in the sport, rostered the MVP runner up and a pair of rising stars. This summer, Sam Presti and company have bolstered the already contending squad adding Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency - the biggest summer signing in franchise history - and swapping out the misfitted Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso who checks all the boxes for Oklahoma City’s play style. 

The decision makers around the league agree with the OKC Thunder being the top dogs in the Western Conference, giving Oklahoma City more than an arm’s length of distance on their Western Conference counterparts. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder will begin their 2024-25 campaign on the road in Denver on Oct. 24.

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Rylan Stiles
RYLAN STILES

Rylan Stiles is a credentialed media member covering the Oklahoma City Thunder. He hosts the Locked On Thunder Podcast, and is Lead Beat Writer for Inside the Thunder. Rylan is also an award-winning play-by-play broadcaster for the Oklahoma Sports Network. 

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