Who Will Lead the OKC Thunder in Rebounds This Season?

Between the Thunder's previous leader and a new addition, the title of top rebounder is up for grabs in 2023-24.

The Thunder should be an improved rebounding team this season and may have a new leading rebounder.

Last season, the Oklahoma City Thunder finished No. 14 in the NBA in rebounds per game. The Thunder managed to finish in the top half of the league despite not having a traditional big man.

Oklahoma City employed a strategy of rebounding by committee, which helped it compete in games and eventually secure a play-in spot. But after dropping from the sixth-highest rebounding average in 2021-22, Oklahoma City is looking to rise back into the top 10 this season.

With 7-footer Chet Holmgren now in the picture, that is an attainable goal for the Thunder. While Holmgren’s addition is a clear help to the Thunder’s rebounding, expecting a rookie to come in and lead the Thunder in rebounding is a tall task.

Rookies do not often lead their teams in rebounds, but Holmgren has a unique opportunity to do so. Holmgren enters the Thunder’s starting lineup as the unquestioned man in the middle.

For Oklahoma City, the paint will belong to Chet Holmgren, specifically on the defensive end. As Holmgren will be tasked with defending and boxing out opposing defenders, his rebounding totals could be enough to lead the team by a healthy margin.

It may even seem that with Holmgren in the picture now, no other player will be in the running for the Thunder’s top rebounder. But Josh Giddey, who has led the Thunder in rebounding in his first two seasons, will have his opportunity to keep that top ranking.

With 7.9 rebounds last season, Giddey finished three rebounds per game ahead of the next-highest rebounder. The 6-foot-8 guard has been a critical piece of Oklahoma City’s rebounding, and that may continue this season.

With Giddey also leading the Thunder in assists in the past two seasons, getting Giddey the ball as quickly as possible is an ideal strategy. So, coach Mark Daigneault may bring back a strategy that was used until the Thunder’s previous triple-double machine was traded in 2019.

Giddey and Holmgren could have a similar dynamic to Russell Westbrook and Steven Adams on the defensive glass to help spark transition opportunities. Adams and Westbrook would both do their part to get into rebound position, and rather than Adams grabbing the ball and passing to Westbrook, Westbrook could come in to get the rebound himself to create fast breaks.

Giddey is not the athlete Westbrook is, but Giddey’s passing allows him to be dangerous in transition. And taking a split second less for Giddey to get the ball and start running could be the difference between scoring on a fast break and having to set up in the half-court.

After averaging just shy of 10 rebounds in summer league, Holmgren’s addition should immensely help the Thunder’s overall rebounding. Whether Holmgren’s rebounding ability is used to get him rebounds or allow Giddey and others to create a few extra transition opportunities, the Thunder will benefit significantly after finishing 29th in the league in defensive rebounding percentage.

The Thunder’s leading rebounder next season is almost certain to be either Holmgren or Giddey. And with them, the Thunder could have their first double-digit rebounder since Westbrook in 2019.

---

Want to join the discussion? Like Inside the Thunder on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Thunder news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.