The Oklahoma City Thunder selected Georgetown center Thomas Sorber 15th overall in the 2025 Draft. A few days ago, during an offseason workout, Sorber tore his ACL and will miss the entire 2025-26 season.
How will the injury of the new Thunder big man affect OKC in the upcoming season?
Missing A True Backup Center
As great as OKC’s team is, it lacked a textbook backup center last season; someone who can consistently catch lobs and be a formidable presence at the rim. Because of this, when starting big men, Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren missed extended time, they were left with forward Jalen Williams to play center.
As impressive as center Jaylin Williams was in the playoffs and at points in the regular season, his flaws are too apparent to play consistent backup minutes. Sorber was the perfect solution to this problem. He possesses superb strength, a monstrous wingspan, good defensive instincts, and solid inside scoring.
This skill set off the bench would be a game-changer for OKC. Even though he is a rookie, he would make an immediate impact and see backup minutes from day one.
Lose a Potential Elite Pick-and-Roll Duo
With OKC’s 2024 first-round pick, Nikola Topic, coming back from his ACL injury, OKC was in store for a rookie pick-and-roll duo off the bench. Topic has already demonstrated in this year’s summer league how gifted a passer he is. He especially excelled at running a pick-and-roll.
https://twitter.com/homahoops/status/1944379176980451388
With Sorber and Topic very proficient in running a pick-and-roll, OKC anticipated them being an elite pick-and-roll duo off the bench. This was another aspect of the bench that OKC lacked last season. They will have to wait another year for this duo to shine together.
Delaying Future Tough Cuts
With the treasure chest of picks the Thunder possess, along with their unbelievable depth, they will have to make tough roster decisions in the coming seasons. These decisions will include letting young talent walk in free agency and deciding how to utilize all their picks, whether by using them in a trade package for a player or to move up in the draft.
OKC, once again, having to wait an extra season to see how their first-rounder rookie performs is only making the coming decisions more difficult.
https://twitter.com/Three_Cone/status/1964080745418272848
Now the Thunder, once again, will have to wait to see their first round center looks on an NBA floor.
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