The 2022–23 Oklahoma City Thunder season was the 15th season of the franchise in Oklahoma City and the 57th in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Previous season The Thunder finished the 2021–22 season 24–58 to finish in fifth place in the Northwest Division, fourteenth in the Western Conference and failed to qualify for the playoffs. This marks the second consecutive season that the Thunder failed to qualify for the playoffs since moving to Oklahoma City.
In their second year of the rebuild, the Thunder started the season with 10 players aged 23 years or under. Throughout the season, the Thunder had numerous injuries to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Josh Giddey, and Kenrich Williams. Playing without Gilgeous-Alexander, Giddey, and Williams, the Thunder were defeated by an NBA record 73-points in a 152–79 loss against the Memphis Grizzlies on December 2, 2021.
In his rookie season, Josh Giddey - the 6th pick in the 2021 NBA draft - recorded four triple-doubles including becoming the youngest ever to record one at 19 years and 84 days old. Before his season ending injury, Giddey had won four consecutive Western Conference Rookie of the Month and ultimately finished on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
The Thunder ended the 2021-22 season injury-riddled with nine players out in the final games. Utilizing their G League affiliate in the Oklahoma City Blue, the Thunder signed Melvin Frazier Jr., Jaylen Hoard, Georgios Kalaitzakis, and Zavier Simpson to finish out the season.
Offseason
Draft picks
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 2 Chet Holmgren PF Gonzaga 1 12 Jalen Williams SG Santa Clara 1 30 Peyton Watson PF UCLA 2 34 Jaylin Williams C Arkansas Ousmane Dieng The Thunder had three first-round picks and one second-round pick entering the draft. The Thunder owned two first-round picks entering the 2022 NBA draft lottery. Their sole first-round pick had a 12.50% chance to win the first overall pick while the pick originally acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers had a 1.50% chance to win the first pick, acquired through the Paul George trade in 2019. With a combined 14.0% chance to win the first overall pick, the Thunder ended the night with the second overall pick, via their sole first-round pick, and the twelfth overall pick, via the Clippers. The Thunder's other first-round pick ended up as the thirtieth pick originally acquired from the Phoenix Suns as a result of the Chris Paul trade in 2020.
On draft night, the Thunder traded three protected 2023 first-round draft picks to the New York Knicks in exchange for the draft rights to Ousmane Dieng, the eleventh pick. With the thirtieth pick, the Thunder selected and traded the draft rights to Peyton Watson to the Denver Nuggets in the JaMychal Green trade.
The Thunder ended 2022 NBA draft night with Gonzaga forward Chet Holmgren, Australia's NBL forward Ousmane Dieng, Santa Clara guard Jalen Williams, and Arkansas forward Jaylin Williams.
Trades
On June 23, the Thunder traded the draft rights to Peyton Watson, the thirtieth pick, and two future second-round draft picks to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for JaMychal Green and a future 2027 first-round pick. On July 20, the Thunder negotiated a contract buyout and waived Green. In return, Green gave up $2.6 million in his buyout.
On September 27, the Thunder traded Vít Krejčí to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Maurice Harkless and draft considerations in an effort to clear a roster spot. The Thunder received a 2029 second-round pick and amendments on the conditions of a previously traded 2025 second-round pick which will be now top-40 protected.
On September 30, the Thunder traded Derrick Favors, Maurice Harkless, Ty Jerome, Théo Maledon, a 2026 second-round pick and cash considerations to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Sterling Brown, Trey Burke, Marquese Chriss and David Nwaba. Jerome did not report to training camp after a mutual agreement with the Thunder and Jerome's representatives. With the trade, the Thunder generated two trade exceptions and dropped approximately $10 million under the luxury tax. On October 2, the Thunder waived Sterling Brown after acquiring him two days ago. On October 17, the Thunder waived Trey Burke, Marquese Chriss, and David Nwaba to finalize the regular season roster.
Free agency
For this offseason, free agency began on June 30, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. EST. Derrick Favors, Mike Muscala, Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Roby had upcoming player and team options. In addition, Théo Maledon, Vít Krejčí, Aaron Wiggins, and Kenrich Williams held non-guaranteed contracts with the team heading into next season. Melvin Frazier Jr. also held a two-way contract that expired this season. On May 17, Derrick Favors exercised his player option for $10.2 million. On June 29, the Thunder declined Mike Muscala's team option for $3.5 million and exercised Isaiah Roby's team option for $1.9 million. However, on July 3, the Thunder waived Roby as his salary would have become fully guaranteed after exercising his team option. On June 30, it was reported that Luguentz Dort agreed to a five-year, $87.5 million deal to stay with the Thunder, which he later signed on July 6. Dort and the Thunder negotiated the new deal after his team option for $1.9 million was declined. On July 18, it was reported that Kenrich Williams signed a multi-year contract extension worth four-year, $27.2 million, which he later signed on July 20. On August 4, the Thunder re-signed Mike Muscala to a two-year, $7 million deal after his team option was declined on June 30. On October 26, it was announced that Melvin Frazier Jr. joined the Raptors 905 for the upcoming season.
On July 2, Eugene Omoruyi signed a two-way contract with the Thunder, splitting time with the Thunder and Oklahoma City Blue. Omoruyi spent part of the 2021-22 NBA season on a previous two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks. On October 16, Isaiah Joe signed a contract with the Thunder after being waived by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Front office and coaching changes On July 27, the Thunder hired Chip Engelland, formerly with the San Antonio Spurs, as an assistant coach. Engelland is considered one of the NBA's preeminent shooting coach and has been one of the league's highest-paid assistant coaches. Sam Presti and Engelland previously worked together with the Spurs organization in the mid-2000s. On July 27, the Thunder hired Vince Rozman, formerly with the Philadelphia 76ers in scouting as VP of Identification and Intelligence. Rozman spent over 15-plus years with the 76ers.
On September 23, the Thunder announced Grant Gibbs will join the Thunder coaching staff after serving as head coach of the Oklahoma City Blue for the past three seasons. In addition, Thunder assistant Kameron Woods was named the new head coach of the Blue. Woods previously played for the Blue for two seasons and served as the head coach of the Thunder during the 2022 NBA Summer League.
Season synopsis
Preseason The Thunder announced their preseason schedule on August 25. The Thunder played six games, with three games in Oklahoma, two games against international opponents. That same day, the Thunder announced Chet Holmgren will miss the entire season after sustaining a fracture in his right foot during a Pro-Am event. The Thunder opened their preseason opener against the Denver Nuggets on October 3. Tre Mann led the Thunder with 17 points while Aaron Wiggins scored 15 points on a perfect 4-4 from three off the bench in a 112–101 win. Against the Adelaide 36ers on October 6, the Thunder led by as many as 40 points as Mann and Lindy Waters III combined for 14 threes in a 131–98 rout. The Thunder topped their performance against the 36ers with a 144–97 victory over Maccabi Ra'anana leading by as many as 51 points. Eight Thunder players scored in double digits led by Eugene Omoruyi's 25 points. The Thunder ended preseason with a 5–1 record with their single loss against the Dallas Mavericks.
Regular season
October
The Thunder began their 15th season since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 19. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who missed all of preseason, led the Thunder with 32 points. The Thunder trailed by as many as 16-points until a late rally turned into a six-point lead for the Thunder. However the Thunder could not keep the lead, losing 108–115 in their season opener. Rookie guard Jalen Williams took a hit defending a dunk attempt by Jaden McDaniels and left the game, ending his rookie debut with five points in five minutes. The Thunder again faced the Timberwolves for the home opener on October 23. The Thunder never led and trailed by as many as 22-points falling to 0–3 on the season in a 106–116 loss.
In a back-to-back against the Los Angeles Clippers, on October 25, Gilgeous-Alexander and Tre Mann led the Thunder to their first win of the season with 33 points and 25 points respectively. In the second game on October 27, the Thunder led by as many as 18 points to a 118–110 win against the Clippers for their second win of the season. Back on the road, on October 29 against the Dallas Mavericks, the Thunder erased an eight-point deficit in the final two minutes of regulation in a 117–111 overtime victory. OKC trailed by as many as 16-points headed into the fourth quarter until the Thunder came back behind Gilgeous-Alexander and Isaiah Joe. Joe, a late signing after being waived by the 76ers, started the fourth quarter comeback by hitting a pair of free throws and a jumper to cut the lead to six. After two Gilgeous-Alexander jumpers, Joe hit a three-pointer to send the game into overtime with 15.8 seconds left in the fourth. Joe later scored 8 of his 15 points in the overtime period giving the Thunder a 117–111 win and their first road victory. On October 31, Gilgeous-Alexander was named the NBA Player of the Week for Week 2 after averaging 31.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 7.7 assists.
November