TITLE: Thunder secure core, Nuggets extend Braun, Lakers preview LeBron-free lineup
SLUG: thunder-secure-core-nuggets-extend-braun-lakers-preview-lebron-free-lineup
CONTENT:
The Western Conference’s offseason and preseason storylines include Oklahoma City doubling down on its title roster, Denver rewarding a breakout guard, and Los Angeles experimenting without LeBron James.
Thunder keep championship nucleus intact
ESPN’s season preview suggests a potential dynasty in Oklahoma City after the Thunder, the second-youngest champions in NBA history, signed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren to long-term extensions. Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s reigning MVP, headlines a rotation in which only Alex Caruso is older than 27 among players who logged at least 10 playoff minutes.
General manager Sam Presti faces 2025 decisions on team options for Luguentz Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein, yet Oklahoma City still owns significant depth and draft capital. Last season the Thunder led the NBA in defense, allowing 106.6 points per 100 possessions—2.5 fewer than any other club. Dort, Williams, and Caruso have All-Defensive honors, while a fully healthy Holmgren, a 7-footer who missed half of last year with a fractured pelvis, is expected to anchor the paint. “Our daily priority is chasing improvement,” Presti said before training camp.
Nuggets commit five years to Christian Braun
Guard Christian Braun has agreed to a five-year, $125 million rookie extension, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The 24-year-old averaged 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting 39.7 percent from three in 79 games last season. After replacing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the starting lineup, Braun led the NBA in fast-break points, becoming the first player to surpass 400 since Buddy Hield in 2019.
Denver views Braun as a cornerstone alongside Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and offseason addition Cameron Johnson. The former Kansas standout contributed to the Nuggets’ 2023 championship and is now locked in through 2029.
Lakers unveil new look without LeBron
Head coach JJ Redick used the preseason finale to showcase a LeBron-James-less unit of Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, Luka Dončić, and Deandre Ayton, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported. Vincent earned the start after averaging 16.2 points on 55.6 percent three-point shooting during the preseason. Redick praised the grouping’s shooting and toughness, citing Vincent’s ballhandling and defense.
“We’ve got to figure out our lobs,” Redick said, according to Khobi Price of the Orange County Register. Reaves added that timing with Ayton is still developing: “I can throw some lobs to Jaxson [Hayes] that I can’t throw to DA … It’s just reps.”
Los Angeles finished the preseason 1–5, and the coaching staff expects additional growing pains as the regular season approaches.
Source: Hoops Wire
