OKC Thunder mailbag: Why young core would be outlier among past NBA champions

Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman

The Thunder entered the season with the second-youngest team in the NBA. Average age: 24.12.

Only the Spurs, with an average age of 23.52, were younger, according to the NBA’s roster survey.

Which brings me to a mailbag question from reader Mary Harris:

More: How OKC Thunder forward Kenrich Williams is navigating off-the-wall foul shot rebuild

What are your thoughts on the impact of the “baby factor” for the postseason Thunder? Will Shai take some time off? Can he stay focused?

I’m assuming we’re not talking about the news that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his wife are expecting a baby (congrats to them), but rather the Thunder being the babies of the NBA. At least that’s the direction I’m comfortable taking it.

Compare the five-youngest teams entering the season — Spurs, Thunder, Hornets, Trail Blazers, Magic — with the five-oldest teams — Bucks, Clippers, Warriors, Suns, 76ers. The former group has two teams over .500 and three teams with bottom-five records. Every team in the latter group is above .500 with varying degrees of NBA title aspirations.

So the Thunder is clearly an outlier.

More: OKC Thunder's six-game winning streak ends with loss to Victor Wembanyama, Spurs

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) goes past Washington Wizards guard Landry Shamet (20) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Washington Wizards at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) goes past Washington Wizards guard Landry Shamet (20) during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Washington Wizards at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024.

OKC’s top-three players are Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren — ages 25, 22 and 21. To the question, I don’t expect SGA to take any time off amid his MVP campaign and the Thunder’s chase for the No. 1 seed.

Compared to the ages of the top-three players on the last 10 championship teams, the Thunder would have the youngest core by a considerable margin.

Gilgeous-Alexander would be the youngest best player on a championship team since Kawhi Leonard with the Spurs in 2013-14. Leonard was 22 when he won his first of two Finals MVPs.

Here’s the list of the last 10 championship teams with the ages of their top-three players.

  • 2022-23 Nuggets: Nikola Jokic (27), Jamal Murray (25), Aaron Gordon (27)

  • 2021-22 Warriors: Stephen Curry (33), Klay Thompson (31), Draymond Green (31)

  • 2020-21 Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo (26), Khris Middleton (29), Jrue Holiday (30)

  • 2019-20 Lakers: LeBron James (35), Anthony Davis (26), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (26)

  • 2018-19 Raptors: Kawhi Leonard (27), Kyle Lowry (32), Pascal Siakam (24)

  • 2017-18 Warriors: Stephen Curry (29), Kevin Durant (29), Klay Thompson (27)

  • 2016-17 Warriors: Stephen Curry (28), Kevin Durant (28), Klay Thompson (26)

  • 2015-16 Cavaliers: LeBron James (31), Kyrie Irving (23), Kevin Love (27)

  • 2014-15 Warriors: Stephen Curry (26), Klay Thompson (24), Draymond Green (24)

  • 2013-14 Spurs: Kawhi Leondard (22), Tim Duncan (37), Tony Parker (31)

More: Wizards GM Will Dawkins shaped by time with OKC Thunder: 'Strong place in my heart'

Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Is OKC Thunder's core too young to win NBA championship in 2024?

Advertisement