OKC Thunder: 3 goals for the final stretch of the season

OKC Thunder season goal No. 1: Growth in their young core.

The Thunder have two rookies who are going to be a big part of their future and two others who a getting little playing time. They also have seven players in their second year, three in their third year and Tony Bradley is the lone fourth-year player on the Thunder’s roster.

Pokusevski was high on the Thunder’s radar prior to the draft night. They were able to use some draft capital and Ricky Rubio to move up and select him with the 17th pick. Standing 7’0″ with guard-like skills, Pokusevski has put his slow start behind him and is growing into a solid player.

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Theo Maledon has become the de-facto starting point guard with the injury to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He has come on incredibly fast, but that was expected considering he was coached by Tony Parker prior to him coming into the NBA.

Among the second-year players Moses Brown has been a revelation at the center position, Luguentz Dort is continuing his offensive growth, and Darius Bazley is showing why the Thunder traded for him prior to last season. Isaiah Roby has shown that he has an incredibly high ceiling and Ty Jerome has shown that he has the ability to make a difference in the league.

Third-year players Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and Kenrich Williams are showing that when you get to an environment that suits you, you can grow your game. Fourth-year man Bradley is also growing his offensive game for the first time whilst being in the league.