The Thunder’s early-season injury pileup has made one draft decision look a lot more painful. Oklahoma City may have found a real interior anchor in Aday Mara, a big man who can rebound, protect the rim and set punishing screens at an elite level. That kind of presence will matter plenty once the roster is whole again.
But right now, the Thunder are missing too much firepower to wait on the future. With Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace all sidelined for the foreseeable future, a player like Yaxel Lendeborg would have fit the moment far better in 2026-27.
The Thunder had real interest in Lendeborg before the draft. They were reportedly willing to take him if he slipped to No. 14, and on draft night they even tried to move up for him.
Golden State held firm, declined the offer and selected him at No. 13.
No one could have predicted just how brutal Oklahoma City’s injury situation would become this season, but Lendeborg looks like exactly the kind of player that would have softened the blow. The Thunder are short on offensive creators, wing depth and versatile defensive help, and he checks all of those boxes.
The Michigan standout has been one of the early favorites for Rookie of the Year, and his start with the Warriors has been eye-opening. In eight games, he’s averaging 21.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from three. He’s also tied for second on the team with four blocks.
Lendeborg’s game has translated fast. His footwork, first step, shooting touch and athleticism have already pushed him into a major scoring role next to Stephen Curry.
That’s exactly the kind of impact Oklahoma City could use. The Thunder rank 25th in points per game at 108.0, 24th in field goal percentage at 43.8, 26th in three-point percentage at 32.0 and sit in the first percentile in points per 100 possessions at 97.7 with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander off the floor.
So while Mara gives the Thunder something real to build on, the absence of Lendeborg feels even sharper now. In a season where the offense has struggled to find answers, he would have been a major weapon from day one.
In Other News...
Russell Westbrook Still Feels Like A Thunder Moment Fans Needed
Russell Westbrooks place in Oklahoma City was never really in question, but the Thunder made it official by announcing they will retire his No. 0 jersey in January. It is a fitting next chapter for a player who spent 11 seasons with the franchise and helped define an era that still looms large over the organization.
Westbrook responded with the kind of emotion that has always matched the bond he built there, expressing deep appreciation for the city and its people. The ceremony will be a chance to honor not just his production on the floor, but the lasting imprint he left on the franchise and the community that embraced him from the start. [Read more 🡒]
Shai Just Gave Thunder Fans A Reason To Exhale
After a rough two-game skid and a growing injury list, the Thunder finally found a way to steady themselves in a 117-112 win over the Cavaliers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carried the load with 43 points, but this was more than a one-man rescue act. Oklahoma City also leaned on a handful of rookies and two-way players who gave the bench real substance at a time when the rotation needed it most.
The result mattered not just because it snapped the losing streak, but because it showed the Thunder can still survive nights when the margins are thin and the roster is stretched. Cleveland kept pushing, and the game stayed tight into the final minute, but Oklahoma City had enough poise and enough help to finish it off. For a team trying to keep its footing through injuries, that kind of response can calm a lot of nerves. [Read more 🡒]
Former Sixer Dalen Terry Just Landed An Intriguing New Chance
After getting waived by the Warriors at the end of training camp, Dalen Terry has found a new landing spot with Oklahoma City, a move that gives the Thunder another look at a former first-round pick who is still trying to carve out a role. Terry also left Golden States G League affiliate to make the switch, and for a team with an open roster spot, the timing fits a need for more wing depth.
The Thunder have been working through a stretch of long-term injury absences, which has made every added body matter a little more than usual. Terry is expected to arrive on a non-guaranteed deal at the veteran minimum, giving Oklahoma City a low-risk chance to see whether he can provide useful minutes while the roster remains in flux. [Read more 🡒]