Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren is a candidate to earn his first all-star appearance this season. (Alonzo Adams/Imagn Images)
When the NBA season opens Tuesday, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and the Oklahoma City Thunder will collect their championship rings in front of former Thunder star Kevin Durant. After departing Oklahoma City in 2016 to chase titles with the Golden State Warriors, Durant returns for the big night as a member of the Houston Rockets, who traded for the 37-year-old star this summer in hopes of climbing into the championship conversation.