How Does OKC’s Rotation Look After Thunder Rookie Guard Becomes 3rd Player To Miss Start Of Regular Season

“If you don’t pace ahead of that, you fall behind very quickly,” Daignault said. ” That’s what every NBA team strives to do during the offseason and into training camp. “So, I want to be clear that improvement is a necessity for us. We don’t look at it as a luxury. It’s something we have to do if we want to be good. In terms of the tangibles, a lot of it is getting a little better at the things that happen most often. We’re not introducing anything new at this time. We’ve got a system in place. The guys have a great fluency in that.

“We don’t want to lose our continuity by turning everything over,” Daigneault added. “But, at the same time, we gotta go deeper on the things that are most important.”

OKC has 15 players on standard contracts and is $1.9 million below the tax apron. The Thunder have one open two-way spot. Malevy Leons, Zach Austin, Chris Youngblood, and Jazian Gortman. All four players are on Exhibit 10 deals and will likely spend the season with the Thunder’s G-League affiliate, OKC Blue.

Thunder’s Starters

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Reigning regular and NBA Finals MVP who is the driving force of the Thunder.

Lugentz Dort: Dort is the defensive stopper on the Thunder’s first unit. He has always been a high-volume 3-point shooter, but has improved his accuracy to 40% over the last two seasons. The 26-year-old wing was a first-team all-NBA selection.

Jalen Williams: Williams is a strong two-way player who is coming off a career season. He is coming off a career season in which he was named to his first All-Star appearance and second-team All-NBA defense.

Chet Holmgren: Holmgren only played in 32 regular seasons but showed he could be one of the best bigs in the league during the Thunder’s playoff run. He is a fantastic rebounder and anchors the Thunder’s defense.

Isaiah Hartenstein: The Thunder were 26-9, including 15-5 in the postseason, when Holmgren and Hartenstein started together. Hartenstein is a perfect complement to Holmgren due to rebounding and physicality. He is coming off a career year.

Second Unit

Alex Caruso: Caruso is the anchor of the Thunder’s second unit and a defensive-minded guard who is an excellent 3-point shooter. He has not played in the preseason.

Cason Wallace: Wallace is a defensive ace who improved in year two and is a solid shooter. Wallace struggled mightily shooting against Dallas in his preseason debut.

Aaron Wiggins: Wiggins is a high-energy wing who is a slasher. The 26-year-old, who has not played this preseason, is coming off a career season. He is also a good 3-point shooter.

Jaylin Williams: Williams is a valuable member of the Thunder’s second unit who likely will have his most significant role this season. Williams is an outstanding screener and takes charge as he is a glue guy. The 23-year-old can stretch the floor, is a good rebounder, and a defender. He has shot the ball well this preseason, averaging 15.5 points and 4.5 threes while shooting 47.8% from the field and 47.4% from deep.

Isaiah Joe: Joe is an elite floor spacer who is coming off a career season and is a career 40% shooter from deep. Joe is coming off a career season and always shows up for work.

Extended Second Unit

Ousmane Dieng: Dieng has not seen much action in his first three seasons in the NBA. However, he has been very good in the G-League and is coming off a career season. The 22-year-old Frenchman has played very well during the two preseason games, though he struggled shooting the ball, making 39.3% of his shots from the field and 30% from the 3-point line.

Ajay Mitchell: Mitchell showed some promise as a rookie due to his all-around game. Mitchell has yet to play this offseason, as he is recovering from an ankle injury.

Two-Way Players

Brendan Carlson: Carlson, who is in his second season with the Thunder on a two-way contract, will provide depth up front. Carlson saw action in 32 games last season. He was inefficient in 11 minutes against the Charlotte Hornets in the Thunder’s first preseason contest.

Brooks Barnhizer: Barnhizer has signed a two-way deal after being selected with the No. 44 pick. The 6-6 wing averages 11.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 1.5 assists in 31 minutes this preseason.

Players Possibly Competing For Thunder’s Last 2-Way Spot.

Malevy Leons: Leons, a versatile defender, saw action in 21 minutes over six games last year for the Thunder. The 26-year-old Netherlands native has done a good job on the glass and shooting the ball from deep. Over the first two preseason games, Leons averages 8.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.5 steals. He has also made 4 of 7 three-pointers, although he is shooting just 35.7% from the field and has turned the ball over seven times.

Zach Austin: Austin, a high-energy defender, went undrafted in 2025. The 6-5 wing averages 7.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.0 steals while shooting 40.0/37.5/1.000.

Chris Youngblood:  Youngblood, an elite shooter, played well during the summer league. He averages 13.0 points, 3.5 three-pointers, and 1.5 steals with a shooting split of 42.9/43.8/25.0.

Jazian Gortman: Gortman is a high-upside slashing guard who saw 57 minutes of action in 16 appearances for Dallas last season. The 6-2 guard averages 13.5 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 rebounds with shooting splits 50./20.0/1.000.

Who Is The Favorite To Win The Last 2-Way Spot?

The player who wins the last minor league spot will likely not see much time with the Thunder. Therefore, the fit of the player will likely be better for the Blue than for the Thunder. The Thunder prioritize spacing and defensive versatility. Leon, who played for the Blue last season, would seem to be the favorite for the spot. But the Blue already owns his rights, so the Thunder may decide to go a different direction.

Youngblood and Gortman also appear to be serious contenders for the job. Youngblood has been better during the first two preseason contests. Therefore, the decision could ultimately come down to him and Leons. However, there are still about 10 days left in camp.