The Oklahoma City Thunder are building momentum for another championship push, entering the 2026-27 preseason with their core intact but a reshaped supporting cast. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander playing at an MVP level, the Thunder remain a top contender in the Western Conference.
The Thunder's offseason was defined by financial management and strategic roster turnover. Key rotation players Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, and Branden Carlson have all departed. The trade of Dort to the Atlanta Hawks for three second-round picks was primarily a salary-saving move, clearing over $17 million from the books this season.
Dort's absence leaves a significant defensive void. He finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting during the Thunder's 2024-25 championship season. At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, he was their primary option for guarding elite perimeter stars and switching onto bigger opponents. His offensive production dipped last season, however, shooting below 35% from three-point range.
To fill these gaps, Oklahoma City turned to the draft. They made two top-20 selections, with their most notable addition being Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz, taken 16th overall after a trade with Memphis. Stirtz is a pure on-ball scorer and playmaker who carried a high usage rate in college. He averaged over 38 minutes per game in his final two seasons at Iowa, leading all Division I players in minutes both years.
The Thunder's championship hopes rest squarely on their established Big Three. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to perform as an MVP candidate. Jalen Williams must stay healthy and produce as one of the league's premier wings. Chet Holmgren is expected to be an All-NBA or borderline All-NBA center, anchoring both the offense and defense.
The success of the supporting cast is the major question. Cason Wallace is poised for a larger role. Rookies like Bennett Stirtz, Aday Mara, Thomas Sorber, and Nikola Topić need to contribute immediately. Stirtz could provide a scoring punch off the bench and may eventually become a cost-controlled replacement for Ajay Mitchell, who will soon require a new contract.
The ultimate goal is clear: winning a second NBA championship in three years. Achieving that requires another 60-win season and securing a top seed in the brutally competitive West. The path likely involves handling a playoff bracket that could feature rivals like the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama, offering a chance for postseason revenge.
For this to happen, the young players must seamlessly replace the production lost from last season's roster. The bench unit, led by new faces, needs to provide consistent scoring and defense. If everything clicks, the Thunder have the top-end talent and depth to lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy once again.
