OKC Thunder Voted Most Improved in Preseason GM Survey

The Oklahoma City Thunder has the respect of the NBA general managers, as they were voted to be the most improved team this season.

The Oklahoma City Thunder may be one of the most anticipated teams this season when it comes to pure curiosity. So much is unknown about this team in terms of what its ceiling could truthfully be.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Josh Giddey were already an incredible core of players last season, and now Chet Holmgren is being added to the mix. 

This anticipation leaves the Thunder as the team that's supposed to be the most improved, according to NBA general managers, as the annual GM survey was released on Tuesday.

Of each of the voting GMs, 30 percent selected the Thunder to be the most improved team on the season. Just behind the Thunder are the Rockets, who earned 23 percent of the votes. 

This is on brand with the rest of the questions and votes. The Thunder received 73 percent of the votes as the team with the best young core. A team with that resume would absolutely be a top-improved team in the league.

It'll be tough for the Thunder to take a super huge leap from last season, though. Two years ago, the Thunder was a 24-win team. They jumped 16 wins last year, eclipsing the 40-win mark. That leap was huge at the time, and the Thunder will struggle to match that level of jump.

The addition of Holmgren, however, is going to elevate the play of the team. It was evident on Monday night as the Thunder began its preseason play. Even as simple as a big man providing space from the perimeter will help the team's drive-heavy attack approach.

GIDDEY SKIP PASS TO CHET FOR THE 3 pic.twitter.com/TxNiqTinpp

— Thunder Film Room (@ThunderFilmRoom) October 10, 2023

Holmgren also plays right into the system, as he showed his capabilities of taking the driving lane off the dribble by himself, creating offense from the perimeter, as well as providing vertical spacing as a lob threat. 

Adding Cason Wallace and eventually Vasilije Micic to the lineup will only further the team's ability to compete, as well as being an incredibly young team improving year over year. 

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