Oklahoma City Thunder: 5 predictions for 2019-20 season

4. 3 players under 22 will be starting by the end of the season

You can probably file this one under the “hot takes” tab.

As currently constructed, the Oklahoma City Thunder may only have one player under the age of 25 starting the season; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. It’s not a bold assumption to think that the other starters on opening night will be Chris Paul, Andre Roberson, Danilo Gallinari and Steven Adams.

Because of that, this prediction probably becomes true as a byproduct of prediction No. 5: The Thunder will need to trade away a handful of their veterans for the young guys to start.

Regardless of what happens with the roster it’s a pretty sure bet that Gilgeous-Alexander will be starting, regardless if it is at shooting guard or point guard.

There is also a chance that — even without trading away any older players — that Terrance Ferguson (age 21) could start at the small forward spot over someone like Roberson who has yet to prove he is healthy.

Finding a third player under 22 years old to slot into the starting lineup is tricky.

If the Thunder do manage to swing a trade for Paul there is a possibility that Gilgeous-Alexander becomes the starting point guard, leaving an opening at shooting guard.

If Ferguson is already starting at small forward before that, then maybe the coaching staff elects to input the hyper-athletic Hamidou Diallo into a starting spot.

Another way to get the third young gun on the floor is at the power forward spot. If (when?) Oklahoma City finds a trade for Gallinari they will have a hole at the 4 position.

After the offseason buyout of Patrick Patterson the only other veteran power forward on the roster is Mike Muscala — someone who is better suited as a spot-up shooter off the bench.

It may be a long shot, but Thunder coach Billy Donovan could elect to keep Muscala on the bench and start Oklahoma City’s unknown rookie, Darius Bazley (19 years old), instead.