The Oklahoma City Thunder have spent the last three seasons setting the pace in the regular season. They’ve finished as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference every year, and at times - especially during the first couple months of last season - they looked untouchable.
That kind of run creates an expectation, but this version of the Thunder is built a little differently now. Oklahoma City moved on from Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe in separate deals this offseason, and the hope is that growth from younger players can help patch those holes.
At the same time, the rest of the league is shifting too. The San Antonio Spurs have emerged as the NBA’s latest young team to watch, and they nearly pushed Oklahoma City for the top spot last season, finishing only two games behind the Thunder’s 64-win mark.
That’s why the biggest goal in 2026-27 might not be chasing the one seed at all.
If Oklahoma City can finish first again, fine. The Thunder absolutely have the talent to do it. But there’s a real case for putting health ahead of standings and accepting that someone else could take the regular-season crown if it helps Oklahoma City be fresher in the spring.
Last season offered a pretty clear warning. The Thunder’s hot start carried them to the top seed, but the middle and late portions of the year were shaped by injuries. Isaiah Hartenstein, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Ajay Mitchell all missed significant time at different points.
That sort of thing is manageable over 82 games. Oklahoma City has enough depth to hand more responsibility to players like Cason Wallace, second-year center Thomas Sorber, and rookies Bennett Stirtz and Otega Oweh if needed.
But the playoffs are where the cost shows up. Williams never really got rolling last season, and his absence, along with Mitchell’s, was part of what kept the Thunder from making another run at the NBA Championship.
There are already signs that this season could require more careful management. Hartenstein is dealing with an injury this offseason.
Alex Caruso, one of the team’s two remaining elite perimeter defenders, has not averaged more than 20 minutes per game in either of his two seasons with Oklahoma City. And Williams, in particular, may need to be protected until after the All-Star Break.
So if the Thunder have to let San Antonio - or another surprise challenger like the Minnesota Timberwolves or Denver Nuggets - take the top seed, that may be the smarter move. They may be facing the Spurs in the playoffs anyway.
For a team that has grown used to owning the regular season, that’s a tough adjustment. But the league is changing, and the Thunder need to do whatever gives them the best shot while this championship window is still open.
In Other News...
Isaiah Hartenstein Gets Real About Thunder Losing Lu Dort
The Thunders offseason cost-saving moves have already changed the feel of a championship roster that had just settled into place, and Isaiah Hartenstein is among the players left to process it. Oklahoma City moved on from three rotational pieces from its 2025 title team as it worked to keep its books in order for the 2026-27 season, even as Hartenstein agreed to a long-term deal and took less money to help the club stay under the salary cap.
Among the departures, Lu Dorts exit hit especially hard. Hartenstein said he was sad to see Dort go, even while acknowledging how quickly the NBA can turn into a numbers game, and he now heads to the Atlanta Hawks as the Thunder try to keep their core intact around the pieces still in place. [Read more 🡒]
Buddy Boeheims Thunder Role Says A Lot About OKCs System
Buddy Boeheims first season tied to Oklahoma City showed exactly how the Thunder like to use the fringes of their roster. After signing a two-way deal, he spent most of his time in the G League, where his value came from floor spacing and being a steady, veteran presence around younger players. In a system built on development and flexibility, that kind of role matters even when the minutes at the NBA level are scarce.
For Boeheim, the bigger question is what comes next, and it sounds like the door remains open with Oklahoma Citys G League affiliate. The Thunder have made a habit of squeezing value from players who can fill a very specific lane, and Boeheims season fits that model neatly. His year ended with a final grade that reflected modest on-court production, but also a clear understanding of where he fits in the organizations broader pipeline. [Read more 🡒]