The Oklahoma City Thunder will feature arguably the most well-rounded roster in the NBA for years to come. With an ascending superstar point guard in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is perennially among the league's MVP candidates; Chet Holmgren, a center with guard-like skills; and Jalen Williams, one of the league's elite two-way wings, OKC's trio of stars is just the cherry on top of its jaw-dropping depth.
Several Thunder stars in the top 100 list
While the Thunder's big three certainly does the heavy lifting, what makes this group particularly star-studded is the number of players who can impact the game on both the offensive and defensive sides of the basketball.
With the addition of Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein this offseason, the Thunder added to their already explosive depth that used to be spearheaded by an army of emerging sharpshooters in Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, and Cason Wallace.
CBS Sports recently released its list of the NBA's top 100 players, which puts into perspective the caliber of firepower the blue and orange possesses. For a team that hovers around an average age of just 24, it is extremely telling to be among just four teams with six players to make the top 100.
Shai Gilgeous Alexander: No. 4
"Last year's MVP runner-up, Gilgeous-Alexander, keeps ascending these rankings as his Thunder ascend the standings. The 26-year-old guard led the NBA in drives for the fourth straight season in 2023-24, and, with improved spacing around him, opponents had an even tougher time disrupting his funky rhythm. ... Nobody recorded more steals than Gilgeous-Alexander last year, and only two players recorded more deflections," wrote James Herbert.
Chet Holmgren: N0. 30
"The delayed debut for Holmgren was well worth the wait, as he fit seamlessly into an Oklahoma City team built for sustained success through at least the next decade. He's 7-foot-1 and yet has the handle of a guard. He can drain a 3-pointer just as simple as he can back someone down in the paint. He has already established himself as one of the best rim protectors in the league, with a knack for perfectly timing blocks, something we rarely see out of players his age," wrote Jasmym Wimbish.
Jalen Williams: No. 37
"If Williams' relative struggles against the Mavericks in the playoffs give him a roadmap for offseason improvement, watch out. This guy is already a scorer from all three levels, a knockdown shooter, a clever playmaker, and a versatile defender. There are All-Star appearances in his future," wrote Herbert.
Three other Thunder players also made the list: Alex Caruso at No. 65, Isaiah Hartenstein at No. 73 and Lu Dort squeezed in at No. 96.
Related: ESPN's David Dennis Jr. thinks SGA is a no-brainer for MVP