Popular NBA Podcast Ranks OKC Thunder No. 15 Ahead of 2023-24 Season

NBA action is just one week away, meaning that media members are getting in their final picks and predictions before the 2023-24 season tips off next Tuesday.

On the most recent episode of Group Chat, a popular NBA podcast on the Ringer Podcast Network, the show's three hosts ranked all 30 NBA teams ahead of the upcoming season.

In their power rankings, Justin Verrier, Rob Mahoney and Wosny Lambre slotted the Oklahoma City Thunder at No. 15, coming in just ahead of the Indiana Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans.

The trio of hosts was mostly optimistic about OKC's trajectory, saying that they were excited to see how the talented young prospects on the squad continue to develop. 

Verrier, Mahoney and Lambre were especially excited about the combination of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, saying that the aforementioned players complement each other well and that bringing in a defensive-minded big man who can block shots will add another element to an already impressive defense.

Lambre also said that having stars like Holmgren and Williams who don't mind playing a specific role will help the team develop around their star, Gilgeous-Alexander. The show's hosts continued on to say that Holmgren's mentality will serve him well in the NBA and that they expect him to be an impact player for the Thunder.

Verrier, Mahoney and Lambre were more hesitant about Josh Giddey and the shooting prowess of Oklahoma City's roster, saying that the lack of shooters may hold the team back.

The three added that Giddey may be the odd man out in a few years when Sam Presti and company are forced to make decisions about which players the team has enough cap space to keep on the roster. While each of the hosts acknowledged that Giddey is a solid player, they agreed that his lack of 3-point shooting may prevent him from being a perfect fit in the Modern Frontier in the future.

ESPN's Zach Lowe had a similar sentiment in his recent article, "The 5 most intriguing NBA players this season".

Time will tell if Verrier, Mahoney, Lambre and Lower are correct about Giddey's fit with the team, for now however, Giddey is one of the main pieces on an exciting young team that has much of the NBA media singing its praises.

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