The Athletic’s John Hollinger spent October predicting the records for all 30 NBA teams for the 2022-23 regular season.
For the Oklahoma City Thunder, the former NBA executive predicts they will finish with the worst record in the league at 20-62.
The Athletic writer Dave DuFour reacted to the prediction, agreeing with Hollinger’s prediction. The loss of Chet Holmgren means the Thunder are basically bringing back the same team that went 24-58 last season. DuFour wrote:
“This season’s Oklahoma City Thunder squad isn’t too terribly different from last season. That is to say, it’s actually terribly the same. Maybe just terrible altogether. Their biggest acquisition was No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren, and he’s already done for the season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, after missing 63 games over the last two seasons, is already dealing with a Grade 2 MCL sprain. I would say 20 to 24 wins for the Thunder feels about right.”
Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to play in the season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the team is fully healthy minus Holmgren.