OKC Thunder roster faces pivotal 2026 NBA offseason. Where does each player stand?
· Yahoo Sports
The 2026 NBA offseason has officially started, and there are plenty of questions surrounding the OKC Thunder's roster.
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OKC has team options on Isaiah Hartenstein, Lu Dort and Kenrich Williams. It has a young player in Cason Wallace who's extension eligible. And it has multiple trade pieces should it look to improve upon a team that just reached the Western Conference finals or even shed some salary.
Here's a look at OKC's roster entering the offseason, broken down into tiers:
OKC Thunder roster entering 2026 NBA offseason
The Big Three
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Gilgeous-Alexander just won his second straight MVP award, and he found a way to get even better yet again. The superstar guard became more efficient, shooting a career-best 55.3% from the field (38.6% from deep) and shined as a closer, earning the Clutch Player of the Year award in the process. Gilgeous-Alexander is already the best player in the world at age 27, and his new four-year contract doesn't kick in until the 2027-28 season. He remains the face of Thunder basketball and potentially the NBA.
Jalen Williams
This past season was a rough one for Williams, who only appeared in 38 games due to a right shooting wrist injury and multiple strains in each hamstring. But he's still 25, and he's still only two years removed from a season in which he earned All-NBA third team and All-Defensive second team honors. He's also about to begin a new five-year contract this upcoming season. Williams remains a solidified member of OKC's Big Three, and he should return to being an elite two-way wing if he can get healthy this summer.
Chet Holmgren
Some people will only care about the way Holmgren ended last season. They'll only care about his struggles against San Antonio in the Western Conference Finals. And while that's certainly a concern, his play throughout the rest of the season is also worth caring about. Holmgren made the All-Star team, the All-NBA third team and the All-Defensive first team at 24 while averaging career highs of 17.1 points and 8.9 rebounds. And he dominated in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Don't bother putting Holmgren in the trade machine. He isn't going anywhere.
Key supporting cast
Isaiah Hartenstein
This section is for role players OKC should prioritize bringing back, and Hartenstein is definitely one of those guys. The 28-year-old center does so much on both ends, from setting screens to playmaking to rebounding to protecting the rim. And after taking some time to gel with Holmgren when he joined OKC two seasons ago, he looked far more comfortable alongside his fellow 7-footer this time around. The Thunder has a $28.5 million team option on Hartenstein this summer. Even if that gets declined, OKC should do everything it can to reach a new deal.
Cason Wallace
Wallace also has a contract that OKC will have to decide on soon. He's entering the last year of his rookie deal, meaning he's extension eligible. And if no agreement is reached, he'd become a restricted free agent next summer. Plenty of teams would surely be interested in Wallace, a 22-year-old guard who already as an All-Defensive second team selection under his belt, but the Thunder is sure to prioritize retaining him. In addition to being an elite defender, he's an electric player in transition and a capable shooter with plenty of time to get even better.
Ajay Mitchell
Injuries hindered Mitchell for a second straight season, this time causing him to miss 25 regular-season games and four playoff games. But the 24-year-old guard showed more than enough skill when he was on the floor to prove he's one of OKC's best players. From creating his own shots to playmaking to standing his ground defensively, Mitchell has a complete game. And he also has one of the most team-friendly deals in the entire NBA, as he's set to make $2.9 million this upcoming season before having a team option for the same amount in 2027-28.
Alex Caruso
OKC is becoming a more expensive team this summer with new deals for Holmgren and Williams kicking in. And while it's natural to look even harder at other contracts on the payroll when that happens, nobody should be questioning Caruso's $19.6 million price tag for next season. The veteran backup is that valuable of a contributor, especially come playoff time. He's a versatile defender who can size up, a reliable shooter on big stages and a momentum changer with an elite motor. Caruso is all about winning, making him the perfect role player for OKC.
Jaylin Williams
Speaking of which, Williams' contract is as friendly as his personality. The 23-year-old forward will make $7.8 million in 2026-27 before having a team option for that same amount in 2027-28. It's great value for a player who provides floor spacing, playmaking and rim protection, all while providing great vibes. Williams is a key contributor to OKC's elite team chemistry. And even if the team tries to upgrade its roster this summer, it won't find a backup big man who checks off that many boxes for that price. That makes me feel like his roster spot is safe.
Role players who could be on the move
Lu Dort
Dort is one of the top Thunder players to keep an eye on this summer. He's a culture setter with his physicality and energy, and his development from an undrafted guard to an All-Defensive first teamer is the sort of stuff OKC prides itself on. Still, Dort's role moving forward is uncertain. His minutes declined this past postseason due in large part to the strong play of Wallace and Caruso, who are also elite 3-and-D options. And with a $17.7 million team option on Dort's deal this summer, he could be on the move if both sides can't reach an agreement, likely for a lower price.
Aaron Wiggins
After posting career highs across the board in 2024-25, Wiggins took a step backwards. He shot a career-low 43.1% from the field (35.6% from 3) during the season and wasn't a factor during the playoffs, averaging just 5.8 minutes. Of course, Wiggins is still a good player, and plenty of other teams would be happy to give him a larger role. They'd also gladly take on his contract, where he'll make a modest $9 million this upcoming season and $8.2 million in 2027-28. That makes him a prime trade candidate for OKC, which simply can't play everyone.
Isaiah Joe
Joe averaged a career-high 11.1 points this season on a career-high 42.3% shooting from deep. But, similar to Wiggins, his role declined during the postseason. One reason was the emergence of Jared McCain, who provided the same level of shot making and floor spacing off the bench that both guys specialize in. Joe is another desirable player on a desirable deal, making $11.3 million next season with a team option for the same amount in 2027-28. He could also find himself on the move if OKC looks to make some changes to its roster.
Kenrich Williams
Williams is one of OKC's most respected players. The 31-year-old vet never complains when his number doesn't get called, and he always stays ready for when it does. He can provide floor spacing, connective passing, versatile defense and hustle plays at a moment's notice. The Thunder has a $7.2 million team option on Williams this summer, which it'll surely decline. It'd make sense for both sides to agree to a veteran minimum deal, but OKC's roster situation could play a factor in that decision. Spots are limited for a team that has three picks in this year's draft.
The jury is still out
Jared McCain
After being acquired from Philadelphia at the trade deadline, McCain shined with OKC. He averaged 10.4 points during 30 regular-season games on 39.1% shooting from 3-point range, and he made two playoff starts when the team was short-handed. McCain impressed with not only his floor spacing but also his shot creation and motor. The sample size is small, which is why McCain headlines this tier, and it'll be interesting to see how he fits into a fully-healthy OKC squad. But there's reason to be excited about the 22-year-old guard, who could become a long-term piece.
Nikola Topić
After being selected by OKC with the 12th pick in the 2024 draft, Topić missed his entire first season due to a torn ACL in his left knee. He was then diagnosed with testicular cancer prior to the start of this season. But after completing chemotherapy, Topić played in 10 regular-season games and nine playoff games. The 6-foot-6 guard's minutes were limited, and yet he showed potential as a playmaker and downhill driver. Topić is only 20, so he has plenty of time to develop. And he'll have a chance to carve out a real role with OKC this upcoming season.
Thomas Sorber
OKC selected Sorber with the 15th pick in the 2025 draft. The 6-9 center then missed all of this past season due to a torn ACL in his right knee. Sorber is also expected to miss the Thunder's upcoming Summer League run, but he should be available once next season begins. And despite being a bit undersized at his position, his 7-6 wingspan and 9-1 standing should immediately help him thrive as a shot blocker. The 20-year-old pro is also a lob threat and a capable passer, making him an intriguing talent.
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder roster breakdown entering pivotal 2026 NBA offseason