5 wild lineups we can’t wait to see in the 2023-24 NBA season

2. Could the Oklahoma City Thunder finally be back in the NBA playoffs?

Hypothetical Lineup: Josh Giddey, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Vasilije Micic, Chet Holmgren, Jaylin Williams

The Thunder have not made the playoff’s since the 19-20 NBA season. Then, they were powered by a three-point guard lineup of Chris Paul, Dennis Schroder, and Gilgeous-Alexander.

Three seasons later, the Thunder could be back in the playoff and once again, a three-point guard lineup could be their recipe for success.

NBA teams of course generate offensive advantages and opportunities in a variety of ways, but the pick-and-roll still reigns supreme. With this lineup, the Thunder will have three incredibly skilled pick-and-roll players on the floor at once in Giddey, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Micic.

Using Holmgren and Williams, two skilled, nimble, and athletic bigs who can finish at the rim or stretch the floor as the screeners with these three will be a nightmare for opposing teams to figure out how to defend.

Drop coverage? Okay, all three guards will dominate with their pull-up guy or attack and throw a lob.

Switching? That’s fine, just pull the ball back and isolate or exploit the size mismatch down low.

Blitz? Ballhandlers will stay patient and find Williams or Holmgren in a scenario where they can attack 4-on-3.

The Thunder snuck their way into the play-in last season, and this lineup could be what helps them finally make the breakthrough.