Thunder 2026-27 NBA season predictions after schedule release

While a Western Conference Finals loss proved that the Thunder are, in fact, human, fans shouldn’t forget why everyone viewed Sam Presti’s rebuild as the greatest in NBA history and why the team was viewed as a potential dynasty. While the Thunder had to trade away Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, and Lu Dort to avoid the second apron, the team still has more depth than anyone else in the league.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has won back-to-back MVPs, and Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams join him as All-Star talents. Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace are among the best defenders in the NBA, and Isaiah Hartenstein was brought back to man the middle. Behind Hartenstein on the center depth chart are Aday Mara and Thomas Sorber, first-round picks in each of the past two seasons. Bennett Stirz joined the former as a first-rounder in 2026, and the team still has high hopes for Nikola Topic, who has barely seen the court due to an ACL injury and testicular cancer.

Furthermore, the Thunder have a great hustle player in Kenrich Williams, a solid backup big in Jaylin Williams, and two up-and-coming guards in Jared McCain and Ajay Mitchell. McCain is one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA, and Mitchell was in the running for Sixth Man of the Year last season.

The point is, despite the loss of three really solid role players, the Thunder are still better than anybody else one through 15. Injuries are inevitable during an 82-game season, but they shouldn’t hold Oklahoma City back as much as they would for other teams. Plus, Mark Daigneault can tweak rotations as he chooses and run deep lineups that ensure his players stay fresh.

The Thunder have established themselves as one of the best defensive teams in the NBA; a squad that can both defend the rim and halt opponents on the perimeter. While a lack of wing size is the biggest concern regarding the Thunder, the team should again thrive defensively. On offense, OKC lets Gilgeous-Alexander do his thing, but he has a plethora of shooters to kick the ball out to. The team also has great ball movement.

The Thunder’s strength in numbers, versatile attack on both ends of the floor, and superstar talent should again lead to not just another great season, but a fourth straight season in which they earn the one-seed in the Western Conference. Again surpassing the 60-game threshold seems realistic, with a 62-20 record seeming like a possible record. This time, though, the Thunder won’t fall short in the postseason. Despite both the talent in the Western Conference and the fact that the east has proven themselves has legitimate threats, the Thunder will win their second championship in three years. An NBA Finals victory could come over a team like the Philadelphia 76ers, who bolstered their roster in the offseason. Oklahoma City’s continuity and proven track record will prove supreme, and the team will officially enter dynasty conversations.

SGA’s MVP run will end, but others will win awards

Only three players have ever three-peated as NBA MVP. Michael Jordan, the greatest player in NBA history, never did it, nor did Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the all-time leader with six MVPs. Bill Russell, Larry Bird, and Wilt Chamberlain were the only ever players who were named the best player in the league three straight times.

Gilgeous-Alexander will have a chance to join that list next season. However, even if voter fatigue weren’t going against him, there is too much talent league-wide to predict another MVP win for the Thunder’s point guard. SGA will surpass the 30-point-per-game threshold for the fifth straight time, but he won’t be crowned as MVP this year. Instead, Luka Doncic could win the award as the clear-cut leader of the Los Angeles Lakers with LeBron James out of town.

That doesn’t mean more awards aren’t to come Oklahoma City’s way, though. Without nagging injury issues, expect Jalen Williams to get back into the All-Star Game. The Western Conference’s depth might prevent three Thunder players from making the All-Star team, but Holmgren should be close.

Furthermore, there are going to be even more touches available for Mitchell off the bench this season, assuming that Wallace takes Dort’s spot in the starting lineup. After finishing fifth in Sixth Man of the Year voting last year, Mitchell could take home the award for the best bench player this go-around. While it seems unlikely that anyone else will take home a major award, look for Wallace to be in the running for the Most Improved Player, too.

If the Thunder are able to win another championship, as predicted above, then accolades won’t even be a concern. Oklahoma City is all in on a dynasty, and a second NBA Finals victory in three seasons would put them on the path to getting there.