Although the modern NBA is filled with stars that generate points from beyond the arc, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s headliner is actually quite the opposite. Over the past few seasons, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged as one of the best scorers in the league, primarily getting his looks from within 15 feet of the rim. Last season, he actually led all guards in paint points last season at 15.9 per contest and was third among all players. Furthermore, of the six players that averaged at least 30 points per game, he attempted the least 3-pointers.

Given this is how he operates on the offensive end, it shouldn’t be surprising that for the third consecutive season, Gilgeous-Alexander led the league in drives during the 2022-23 campaign by more than three per contest. Not only did he find ways to score as a downhill driver, but he also did it efficiently. The then 24-year-old shot 60.3% from inside of five feet last season.

What makes this even more impressive is the lack of spacing Gilgeous-Alexander has worked with during his time in Oklahoma City, especially last season. In fact, he was in the bottom 20% of all NBA players as it relates to spacing via BBall Index’s Off-Ball Gravity metric.

While Gilgeous-Alexander’s efficiency and volume as a driver with minimal space is extremely impressive, he should have much more of it this season.

Not only is Isaiah Joe still with the team, who was one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA last season, but more quality 3-point shooters have been added to the roster. Interestingly enough, two of the top players in that department should be 7-foot-1 Chet Holmgren (39% from deep in college) and 6-foot-10 Davis Bertans (career 39.8% 3-point shooter in NBA). Oklahoma City will also get Kenrich Williams back, who shot 37.3% from beyond the arc last season before his injury and Vasilije Micic, who recently made the jump to the NBA but shot better than 40% from deep overseas in his most recent campaign.

This should make the Thunder offense extremely difficult to defend this season, as the opposing team will have to choose how it wants to get best. The defense will either have to collapse on Gilgeous-Alexander and leave perimeter shooters open, or play tight on those shooters and hope the interior defense can contain him.

What makes this phenomenon even more interesting is the fact that both Jalen Williams and Josh Giddey — who project to be two of OKC’s top scorers this season — also thrive by attacking the rim. What this means for the Thunder moving forward is that shooting will continue to be key. The more perimeter shooting the team can surround its stars with, the more effective the offense will be.

As the Thunder looks to truly emerge as a playoff team this season, it feels like the pieces are starting to fall into place. The young core is beginning to mesh and strengths will be maximized by the supporting cast around those top pieces.