After another productive NBA offseason, the Oklahoma City Thunder are looking as though they're finally ready to start building toward playoff contention.
In an always crowded Western Conference, the Thunder will undoubtedly have their work cut out for them next season, but with young studs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort leading the way, things are starting to look up for them.
Coming off an active draft night where they selected Josh Giddey, Tre Mann, and Aaron Wiggins, the Thunder are now looking to build a team that's ready to make a deeper playoff push during the 2021-22 NBA season. Especially after adding some quality depth during the 2021 NBA Free Agency period. Having said all this, let's take a look at the grades for each of Oklahoma City's free agency signings from this offseason.
Thunder acquisitions:
Power Forward/Center Derrick Favors: A
Looking to add more veteran leadership and quality depth to their frontcourt, the addition of Derrick Favors was a solid move for the Thunder. His ability to rebound, block shots, and thrive in the pick-and-roll game will do wonders for this young Thunder squad. He would also provide Oklahoma City with a sound locker room presence and seasoned professional that could serve as a mentor to young stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort.
In their quest to return to postseason relevance, the Thunder have added a quality veteran with a ton of playoff experience who can help them build something special in Oklahoma City. Favors also provides the Thunder with a multi-skilled big which is something they were sorely lacking in their frontcourt.
Power Forward/Center Mike Muscala: A
Bringing back Mike Muscala was another great move for the Thunder, especially with his inside-out style of play that creates mismatches for opposing defenses and allows him to create more scoring opportunities for his teammates. Muscala also gives them more frontcourt depth in addition to the signing of Derrick Favors.
On a Thunder team that's loaded with scoring, athleticism, and speed on the wing and in their backcourt, the re-signing of Muscala gives them another quality big man to help space the floor and improve their ball movement. Looking to power through a tough and gritty Western Conference next season, the addition of Muscala will definitely help them as they'll need all the manpower they can get and with his multi-faceted scoring touch and rebounding, the Thunder will be in a good spot heading into next season.
Now that the Thunder have put together a nice young core consisting of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Darius Bazley, Theo Maledon, and Moses Brown, both of these free agent signings have definitely been huge for them. This offseason has definitely been a huge success for the Thunder, especially after drafting Josh Giddey, Tre Mann, and Aaron Wiggins.
All of whom could be vital to their playoff push next season while adding even more youth and athleticism to this upstart Thunder squad. With all this in mind, Derrick Favors and Mike Muscala give Oklahoma City a stronger frontcourt with more size, scoring, and rebounding and will provide with them much-needed depth and leadership all throughout the 2021-22 NBA season.
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