The Oklahoma City Thunder are rolling into the 2026-27 season with the kind of roster depth that shows up loud and clear in ESPN’s latest top-100 rankings.
Seven Thunder players landed on the list, a strong reminder that Oklahoma City is still viewed as one of the league’s deepest teams even after an offseason of roster movement. The Thunder are also being sized up as co-title favorites with the San Antonio Spurs.
At the top of Oklahoma City’s group is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at No. 3.
ESPN called the reigning back-to-back MVP the kind of player who should be fueled by the loss to San Antonio in the Western Conference finals, and pointed out how much better the Thunder were when he shared the floor with Jalen Williams. In those minutes last season, Oklahoma City outscored opponents by 15.3 points per 100 possessions.
ESPN also noted that Gilgeous-Alexander is chasing a rare shooting run, trying to become the third guard to shoot better than 50% from the field in five straight seasons. Only Hall of Famers Magic Johnson and Maurice Cheeks have done that.
Williams checked in at No. 25, and ESPN’s write-up made clear how much his injuries altered Oklahoma City’s season. Wrist surgery after the title over Indiana kept him out for 19 games to begin the regular season, and hamstring strains in both legs limited him through most of the playoffs.
Still, at 25, he remains a three-level scorer who brings effort on defense. ESPN also highlighted his 3-point shooting as a key swing factor, noting he hit 42.7% from deep in 2023-24 before dropping to 29.9% in limited action last year.
Just behind him, Chet Holmgren landed at No. 24.
ESPN described him as a shot blocker with the length and timing to stand out as the best defender of his generation outside of Wembanyama. The scouting report also emphasized Holmgren’s offensive versatility, from his shooting touch to his quickness off the dribble.
The knock, according to ESPN, is that he can be too passive offensively, and a more aggressive approach could push him toward superstardom.
Isaiah Hartenstein came in at No. 74 after a season that reinforced his value as the Thunder’s interior anchor. ESPN pointed to his double-double production, his work on the glass and his disruptive defense. Injuries have limited him to 94 games over the past two seasons, but his fit with Holmgren gives Oklahoma City one of the league’s best big-man pairings.
Cason Wallace made his first appearance in ESPN’s top 100 at No. 75, and the recognition was driven mostly by his defense. ESPN noted that he was named All-Defense for the first time and led all players in steals this season. He also held opponents to 41.6% shooting as the closest defender during the regular season, fifth-best in the NBA, and then made life difficult for Austin Reaves, Devin Booker, Stephon Castle and Jalen Green in the playoffs.
Ajay Mitchell showed up at No. 79 after a season that put him on the map in a major way. ESPN pointed out that he finished fifth in Most Improved Player voting, an unusual result for a second-year player, but one that reflected how quickly he became a real part of a top team. Now he’s a secondary playmaker behind Gilgeous-Alexander and brings enough perimeter defense to hold his own.
Alex Caruso rounded out the Thunder contingent at No. 84.
ESPN said he slipped in the rankings from last year, but also made the case that he could have been placed higher. His defense remains elite - he ranked first among qualified guards in defensive Net Points per 100 possessions, per ESPN Analytics - and he gave Oklahoma City a boost on offense in the Western Conference finals against the Spurs, averaging 14.9 points while shooting 50% from 3-point range over the seven-game series.
Seven names. One of the deepest teams in the league. And, according to ESPN’s preseason board, a Thunder group that still has plenty of firepower at both ends of the floor.
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Otega Oweh Suddenly Faces A Real Thunder Problem This Preseason
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This preseason, though, tighter margins could make those minutes harder to find for second-round pick Otega Oweh. If the Thunder are playing more competitive games and shrinking the floor for developmental reps, his path could get complicated quickly, especially with the team weighing how best to handle his roster status and long-term growth. [Read more 🡒]