Sacramento Thunder? NBA Analyst Says Oklahoma City Is 'What The Kings Were Last Season'

A season ago, the Sacramento Kings shocked the NBA with their impressive Western Conference finish. This season, some believe the Oklahoma City Thunder will follow a similar path, and it's easy to see why.

After earning a strong win against the Golden State Warriors, the Oklahoma City Thunder is off to its best start in over a decade. 

Sitting at 8-4 and fourth place in the Western Conference, there hasn't been any doubts of the Thunder's talent. With Chet Holmgren back and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander still leading the charge, that was expected. 

But even more than just a strong start, some NBA analysts are beginning to look at the long-term potential of coach Mark Daigneault's squad — and safe to say, it's looking up.

"It's not just the short term," ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins said of Oklahoma City's potential. "[The Thunder] is going to be above the Warriors. They're going to make the postseason. You know who the Oklahoma City Thunder is going to be this season? 

'Who the Kings were last season."

"You know who the Oklahoma City Thunder is going to be this season? Who the Kings were last season."@KendrickPerkins sees playoff potential in the Thunder 💪 pic.twitter.com/TX009wzBBY

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 16, 2023

Strong praise for the young team. But while it is slightly preliminary, the comparison makes sense. Last season, the Kings were looking up with their young core. Moving on from Tyrese Haliburton and onto Damontas Sabonis was a big part of that — as Sacramento's new duo propelled them forward. 

Combining that with other support pieces like Malik Monk, and the Kings had a squad good enough to compete in the Western Conference — and they did. 

Now, the Thunder are looking to do the same. 

Oklahoma City has lost the element of surprise that Sacramento had a season ago. It has the pieces, and from the jump, it's put the league on notice, but that much was expected. Gilgeous-Alexander has resumed business as usual in terms of scoring and stealing, Holmgren has made a sound case for Rookie of the Year honors and even Josh Giddey has found his groove after a shaky start.

Putting those players alongside other strong pieces like Cason Wallace, who's shown out on both ends of the floor, Isaiah Joe and Jalen Williams, and the Thunder has a team. Sound familiar? 

Obviously, making the playoffs outright is in the cards for Oklahoma City. Sacramento did so a year ago, but were bounced immediately after falling just short to the Warriors — that much the Thunder hopes not to take after. 

But either way, there's a reason Oklahoma City is sitting near the top of a loaded conference. And judging by the first 12 games, that might just continue.

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