These players could regress significantly in the 2024-25 seasons

The Oklahoma City Thunder are arguably the league’s fastest-rising team, and behind the speedy improvement are numerous ascending players with remarkably high ceilings.

Many Thunder players are looking to take another heaping step forward in the upcoming season, which will get underway in less than one month. While this makes for thrilling anticipation for some, not everyone will get the shine they deserve. That is the reality of being on a depth-rich team.

As we watch stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams aim for another gear, some players could see diminishing returns in the 2024 season.

Jaylin Williams

This was evident when the Thunder signed Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency in July. “J-Will” was Oklahoma City’s backup center on most nights a season ago — a role he didn’t perform his best in. But that is partly because his natural position is power forward, being the 6-foot-9 bruiser he is.

Williams will be demoted to third-string center behind a pair of star big men. At 22, the forward needs consistent playing time to reveal his true potential. We saw some of that manifest when he was a much more significant contributor in the Thunder rotation in the 2022 season. Jaylin’s 3-point percentage dipped last season, and a similar trend may happen again in 2024.

Kenrich Williams

Another Williams makes this list, and this time, it is the 29-year-old who serves as one of OKC’s “seniors.” Kenrich underwent a procedure on his right knee last week and has been ruled out for the 2024 preseason. He’ll likely miss a good chunk of the regular season, too, giving someone else on the Thunder roster some shine.

Even if and when he returns 100 percent healthy, enough time may have passed that he’ll need to fight back into the rotation to win the role from the guy who filled in during his absence. Unfortunately, trying to bounce back from an injury, especially as a somewhat injury-prone player, is no walk in the park.

Ousmane Dieng

This is said costively, but the 21-year-old could see a decline in his game and career if he doesn’t start the season with a bang. Dieng could be one of the players who would benefit the most from Kenrich’s injury. As a skilled 6-foot-10 forward and a former lottery pick, he should carry the mindset of a starter or at least someone aiming for only 20 minutes of action per contest.

Entering Year 3 of his career, it is virtually now-or-never for the Frenchman. Having already shown what he is capable of in the G League, namely winning the Finals MVP for the Oklahoma City Blue last season, the former No. 11 pick has to show that he is at least an elite role player who brings many tangibles to the table.

Ousmane will get another try when the season tips off. Unless he is nothing short of exemplary to begin the year, he’ll likely be teetering between the G League and maybe even his couch.

Related: Jalen Williams' growth spurt was vital to his development as a star player