Oklahoma City’s defense is loaded with elite talent, and a new ranking only drives that point home.
Bleacher Report’s list of the league’s top 30 defenders featured five Thunder players, with Chet Holmgren landing the highest at No. 4. Holmgren’s breakout on that end of the floor was already enough to put him near the top of the conversation: he finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting this past year and earned All-NBA Defensive First Team honors.
The Thunder’s depth on that side keeps going from there. Cason Wallace came in at No. 9, while Alex Caruso checked in at No.
- Both players have already picked up All-NBA defensive honors during their careers, and both still have plenty to prove.
Wallace is expected to move into a starting role this year and keep expanding his game. Caruso brings the kind of veteran edge that can change a game possession by possession.
Oklahoma City also got recognition in the frontcourt. Isaiah Hartenstein was ranked No. 21, a nod to the 7-foot center’s value as the physical anchor in the middle. He played a major role in the Thunder’s playoff push and was one of the reasons the team was able to compete in the conference finals despite injuries across the roster.
Jalen Williams rounded out the Thunder presence at No. 24.
Even though he missed most of last season, a healthy Williams remains a real problem for opposing offenses. He was named to the All-NBA Defensive Second Team during the 2024-25 season and will be aiming to carry that same impact into the coming year.
For a team that has already built its identity around stopping people, this list says plenty. Most of the important defensive pieces are back, and Oklahoma City looks set to bring that pressure again next season.
In Other News...
LeBrons Move East Says Plenty About The Thunder Right Now
LeBron James move from the Lakers to the 76ers says as much about the Thunders standing as it does about his own next chapter. He pointed to Oklahoma Citys talent when explaining the decision, a notable nod to a team that has become one of the leagues measuring sticks in the West. For a Thunder group that has spent recent seasons building itself into a problem for everyone else, being part of the conversation at this level is another sign of how far the franchise has come.
James also framed the change with an eye toward the playoff picture, expressing hope for a Western Conference Finals rematch between Oklahoma City and San Antonio. It is a reminder that the Thunder are no longer just chasing contenders, they are helping define the path around them. With several other players also heading East, the balance of power could shift a little more, and Oklahoma City will be judged by how well it handles a conference that may be thinning out around it. [Read more 🡒]
Chet Holmgren Now Carries A Huge Question For OKCs Offense
Chet Holmgrens place in the Thunders offense is still taking shape as Oklahoma City heads toward the new season, and the expectation is that hell be asked to do more than just anchor the middle. With the roster around him changing, Holmgren could spend more time on the perimeter, where his 3-point shooting may become an even bigger part of what the Thunder want to do offensively.
His playoff showing in the Western Conference Finals drew criticism, but Holmgren has kept the same message about moving forward rather than getting stuck on what happened in that series. For Oklahoma City, the bigger question now is how much his outside shot can open up the floor and help the offense evolve, especially if his role stretches farther from the basket. [Read more 🡒]
Aday Mara Is Forcing A Thunder Question Sooner Than Expected
Aday Mara has turned Oklahoma Citys preseason into a much more interesting exercise than anyone probably expected when camp opened. The recent Thunder draft pick has flashed a broader game than a lot of teams see from a young big this early, showing touch, passing feel and rim protection while putting up strong preseason production and drawing comparisons to Hall of Famer Pau Gasol for the way he can influence the game in more than one area.
Mara has fit into different lineups alongside key Thunder players and, more importantly, has looked ready for a larger role sooner than the initial plan suggested. For a team that usually wants its young talent to develop on its own timeline, that kind of progress creates a real roster question heading toward the regular season, even if the final answer is still waiting to be revealed. [Read more 🡒]