Thunder’s Core Eight: Who OKC Should Protect in a Hypothetical NBA Expansion Draft
NBA expansion has been looming for a while now, and it’s finally starting to feel real. According to recent reports, the league’s Board of Governors could vote this summer to add two new franchises - with Las Vegas and Seattle emerging as the front-runners. That means an expansion draft is likely coming down the pipeline, potentially as early as the 2027 offseason.
For teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, that presents a unique challenge: protect eight players, and risk losing one of the rest. It’s a tough call for any franchise, but especially for one as deep and well-constructed as OKC. So if the expansion draft happened this offseason, who makes the Thunder’s protected list?
Let’s break it down.
The Untouchable Trio
There are three names that don’t even warrant discussion - they’re locked in stone:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Jalen Williams
- Chet Holmgren
These are the franchise pillars. Shai is a perennial MVP candidate, Williams has blossomed into a do-it-all wing with star upside, and Holmgren is already one of the most unique two-way bigs in the league.
Sam Presti wouldn’t entertain trade calls for these three, let alone let them walk for nothing in an expansion draft. They’re the foundation of everything OKC is building.
The Next Wave: Young Two-Way Impact
Two more players deserve protection based on their age, trajectory, and current impact:
- Ajay Mitchell
- Cason Wallace
Mitchell is one of the best-kept secrets in the league. He’s anchoring OKC’s second unit and thriving in minutes without Shai.
Over 584 minutes without SGA on the floor this season, Mitchell is averaging 20.1 points and 6.1 assists per 75 possessions. That’s not just solid - that’s Sixth Man of the Year-level production.
And he’s only 23, on a team-friendly deal.
Wallace, meanwhile, is already drawing serious buzz for All-Defensive honors. The 22-year-old Kentucky product is a menace on the perimeter and is starting to show real growth as a scorer and secondary playmaker. With his upside and defensive versatility, Wallace looks like a long-term piece in OKC’s puzzle.
The Veteran Glue Guy
- Isaiah Hartenstein
This one comes with a caveat: the Thunder would need to decline his team option this summer and lock him into a long-term deal. But if that happens, Hartenstein is absolutely worth protecting.
He’s been a perfect fit in OKC’s system - an elite rebounder and interior defender who brings added value with his passing in dribble handoff actions. At 27, he’s in his prime and gives the Thunder a different look at the five alongside Holmgren. Protecting him keeps the frontcourt rotation stable and versatile.
The Value Contract
- Aaron Wiggins
Wiggins might not have the flashiest game, but he’s the kind of player every contender needs. He can knock down open shots, create when needed, and defend multiple positions. His improvement on the defensive end has been especially noticeable this year.
But what really makes Wiggins a lock for protection is his contract. He’s making $10.1 million this season and just $25.9 million over the next three years - a bargain in today’s cap environment. That’s essentially rookie-scale money for a rotation-caliber wing.
The Final Spot: A Strategic Swing
- Thomas Sorber
This is where it gets tricky. There are a handful of players who could make a strong case for the final protected slot - Jared McCain, Nikola Topić, Isaiah Joe, Luguentz Dort, Alex Caruso, Jaylin Williams, and Kenrich Williams all bring something valuable to the table.
But the Thunder go with upside and long-term value here.
Sorber hasn’t made his NBA debut yet due to a torn ACL, and he also missed the end of his college career with a foot injury. So yes, there’s risk.
But there’s also major reward. He projects as a high-level rim protector with soft touch around the basket and underrated passing instincts - a rare skill set for a big man.
With three years left on his rookie deal, Sorber has the tools to eventually become one of the best backup centers in the league.
There’s also a bit of chess to this move. If Sorber develops as expected, he could eventually make Hartenstein expendable in a cap crunch. And by protecting Sorber, the Thunder can afford to lose one of their guards or wings without completely disrupting the rotation.
The Ones That Got Away (Maybe)
Let’s be clear - losing any of the unprotected players would sting. Dort and Caruso are elite defenders.
Joe is a knockdown shooter. McCain and Topić are promising young guards.
Jaylin and Kenrich Williams are culture-setters and locker room leaders.
But this is where OKC’s depth shines. If McCain is taken, they still have Topić and Joe.
If Joe goes, they still have Wallace, Mitchell, and Gilgeous-Alexander. If Dort or Caruso gets poached, the other remains to anchor the perimeter defense.
The Thunder are built to absorb this kind of loss without losing their identity - a testament to their roster construction and asset management.
Bottom Line
An expansion draft would force Oklahoma City to make some brutal decisions. But that’s a good problem to have. With a core of young stars, high-upside role players, and smart veteran additions, the Thunder are in a position few franchises can match.
They might lose a good player, but they won’t lose their direction. And with a war chest of future picks and a front office that knows how to use them, OKC’s future remains as bright as ever.