Following an overachieving campaign of 40-42 last season, expectations have risen for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
To prepare for the upcoming season, ESPN asked its Summer Forecast panel to vote on award winners. The winner of the award predictions was decided by totaling their points. A first-place vote counted for three points, a second-place vote counted for two points and a third-place vote counted or one point.
The Thunder had a pair of winners among the award predictions. This is a strong endorsement of how highly experts think of the team.
Let’s look at which awards OKC is expected to bring home with them by the end of the 2023-24 season.
Rookie of the Year: Chet Holmgren
- Chet Holmgren – 80 points (34.6% first-place votes)
- Victor Wembanyama – 77 points (42.3%)
- Scoot Henderson – 53 points (15.4%)
“In our closest race so far, Chet Holmgren edged out Victor Wembanyama for 2023-24 Rookie of the Year. Holmgren, the No. 2 pick who missed the 2022-23 season because of a foot injury, triumphed over Wemby by just three points.”
Coach of the Year: Mark Daigneault
- Mark Daigneault – 58 points (38.5% first-place votes)
- Erik Spoelstra – 42 points (19.2%)
- Michael Malone – 18 points (7.7%)
“In a season in which the Thunder were widely expected to struggle, coach Mark Daigneault led the team to a surprising 40-42 record and a play-in tournament loss. He finished second in the Coach of the Year voting last season after leading the team to a 16-win improvement, despite losing Holmgren for the year. The organization just signed Daigneault to a multiyear contract extension.”
Other awards:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied for 10th for MVP voting (1 point)
- Josh Giddey tied for 4th for Most Improve Player voting (16 points and 3.8%)
- Jalen Williams was 6th for Most Improve Player voting (14 points and 3.8%)
