OKC Thunder: Ranking the Thunder’s projected starting lineup
By Ryan Love
OKC Thunder starters 1-2: The Young Vet and the Old Vet
No.1-ranked starter for Oklahoma City: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 22, returns to the OKC Thunder for the 2020-21 season as the seasoned veteran of the backcourt.
Gilgeous-Alexander spent last season learning alongside future Hall of Famer Chris Paul, and he’ll look to take a leap as a top-30 NBA player this season.
He averaged 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists as the second or third offensive option in most lineups last season. As the starting point guard this season, it should be expected that his assists will go up, and he could potentially creep toward 25 points per game depending on his team’s performance.
No. 2-ranked starter for Oklahoma City: Al Horford
Regardless of how long Al Horford stays in Oklahoma City, this will likely be the last time he’s ranked in the top-2 of any starting lineup as he’ll be 35 years old by the end of this season.
Horford, a five-time All-Star, is coming off a disappointing stint with the Philadelphia 76ers where he never seemed to fit into a comfortable role alongside Joel Embiid.
Horford averaged 11.9 points per game in his one season with the Sixers, his lowest average since his second year in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks when he averaged 11.5 points per game.
He’ll likely get the full-time run as the Thunder’s center as the next man up would be Mike Muscala.
It will be the first time the Thunder has had a center with a reliable jump shot since the early days of the franchise with Serge Ibaka.