The Graham Jam

It did not go well.

It's that time of year again, Thunder fans!

Oh, did you forget when the NBA season begins? Can't say I blame you. It's been two years since the Thunder actually tipped off in October, as is typical, and last season was an abbreviated 72-game campaign that began in December.

It did not go well. OKC finished 22-50, amassing a 7-29 record after the All-Star break and enduring the final months without its best player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Are the Thunder going to turn things around this season? The short answer is no, probably not. But there are still plenty of reasons to tune in Wednesday night, and all season long.

Let's start with the aforementioned Gilgeous-Alexander, or SGA. Before his season ended prematurely with a foot injury, SGA was having his breakout year as the new face of Thunder basketball. He averaged 23.7 points and nearly six assists per game while shooting about 42% from behind the arc

Ḣe was rewarded this offseason with a five-year, $172 million contract extension that should keep him in OKC for years to come. And despite his shortened season, Sports Illustrated and ESPN ranked him the No. 30 and No. 36 best player in the game, respectively, this preseason.

He's still only 23 years old. Other returning players of note would include wing Luguentz Dort, forward Darius Bazley and the positionless, inimitable 7-footer Aleksej Pokusevski. Dort has been shooting the lights out all preseason, so expect lots of 3-pointers from the Canadian this year. Bazley has stepped into a leadership role, and Poku continues to show the flashes that make him so intriguing, though he seems to have lost the starting job he filled so often this spring.

But of course, it wouldn't be a new season without some new players, and the Thunder have some exciting ones this year. The teenage Australian Josh Giddey comes to mind first, as OKC spent a No. 6 overall draft pick this summer to bring him to the States.

Giddey is a 6-8 guard whose experience has been at the point, though he'll be playing much more off-ball in Oklahoma City while sharing a backcourt with SGA. When the players are staggered, though, expect Giddey to bring the ball up, and keep an eye on his insane passing ability. Giddey had a great preseason, and looks like a steal for the Thunder at No. 6. He'll be in contention for All-Rookie honors if his season goes as expected.

NBA veteran Derrick Favors is another new face in Oklahoma City, joining the Thunder from Utah via trade. In addition to Giddey, OKC also drafted guard Tre Mann at No. 18, forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl at No. 32 and guard Aaron Wiggins at No. 55

Ṫhe roster is full of intriguing pieces, but they probably don't add up to a contender right now. OKC general manager Sam Presti and head coach Mark Daigneault have been up-front this offseason about their expectations in 2021-2022.

"This year, for us, is about getting a baseline for where we're at," Presti told the media on Sept. 24 before training camp. "We have a grouping of young players who will compete to figure out who will be here for the long-term, and who can help us cultivate the next era of Thunder basketball."

Presti is already sitting on a mountain of draft picks he can use, trade and develop over the next half-decade to build the team he wants. With marquee free agents unlikely to choose Oklahoma City, Presti believes this gradual building process will be the key for sustained success.

It won't always be pretty, but this year's squad will lay the foundation for the next great Thunder basketball team. With the NBA's youngest roster, OKC's youth will make for must-watch TV as they learn, grow and succeed together.

So join me each week in your local paper for a recap of the previous week's highlights, lowlights and moments that matter. And be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for even more free Thunder content every week.

I can't wait to take this journey with Thunder fans from across the state. Until next week, stay safe and Thunder Up.