Bill Simmons Floats Wild Thunder-Brandin Podziemski Scenario

Could OKC still win 50 games without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:49pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in bold primary colors, capturing the dynamic energy and multi-faceted nature of a basketball game, conceptually representing the Thunder's depth and team-oriented approach.A cubist interpretation of the Thunder's balanced roster and team-first culture, hinting at their potential to overcome the loss of their superstar.Oklahoma City Today

Sports media personality Bill Simmons speculated that the Oklahoma City Thunder could still win 50 games in the NBA if they replaced star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski. Simmons' co-host Tim Legler even gave the Thunder a couple more wins in this hypothetical scenario. However, many analysts are skeptical that OKC could maintain its high level of success without its MVP-caliber centerpiece for an entire season.

Why it matters

The Thunder have built a championship-contending roster around Gilgeous-Alexander, who is considered one of the best players in the NBA. Speculating about the team's potential without him raises questions about the overall depth and balance of the roster, as well as the importance of Gilgeous-Alexander's leadership and two-way impact.

The details

In Simmons' thought experiment, he kept all other factors the same - including injuries and in-season acquisitions - and argued the Thunder could still go 53-29 with Podziemski, a solid young player, replacing the MVP-caliber Gilgeous-Alexander. Legler was even more bullish, giving OKC a couple more wins in this scenario. However, the Thunder have struggled at times without Gilgeous-Alexander, going just 8-4 in his absences this season. Analysts believe maintaining a 50-win pace without the team's superstar would be extremely challenging.

  • The Thunder are currently 64-16 on the season.

The players

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Oklahoma City Thunder's superstar guard, who is favored to win his second straight MVP and NBA Finals MVP awards.

Brandin Podziemski

A solid young player for the Golden State Warriors, who is averaging 13.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game this season.

Bill Simmons

A prominent sports media personality who hosts a podcast for 'The Ringer' and conducted the hypothetical exercise about the Thunder.

Tim Legler

A former NBA player and current ESPN color commentator who provided his own projections for the Thunder's potential record without Gilgeous-Alexander.

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What’s next

As the NBA playoffs approach, the focus will remain on whether Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can lead the Thunder to a second straight championship.

The takeaway

The Thunder have built a deep, talented roster, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is clearly the centerpiece and driving force behind their success. Speculating about the team's potential without him highlights his immense value and the challenges they would face in maintaining their high level of play without their superstar.