The Oklahoma City Thunder are making changes in more than just the roster this offseason.
According to Clemente Almanza of Thunder Wire, physical therapist and athletic trainer Dr. Tobi Owotomo is no longer with the organization after spending the past two seasons in Oklahoma City. Her LinkedIn bio now lists her as a “former” member of the team.
Owotomo had become a familiar name to Thunder fans, and plenty of them took notice of her departure. She drew a big following on social media, where many fans praised her appearance, and she became something of a fan favorite during her time with the team.
Her exit also fits a pattern Thunder fans know well. Before the 2024-25 season, former team physical therapist and athletic trainer Vanessa Brooks left the organization to join the Los Angeles Lakers staff, opening the door for Owotomo. Oklahoma City then went on to win its first-ever NBA championship in 2024-25 after a seven-game battle with the Indiana Pacers.
Now, some fans are wondering whether Owotomo’s departure could be another good omen.
The Thunder have already had a busy offseason on the basketball side as well, with the front office working to keep the team below the dreaded second apron. General manager Sam Presti and company moved on from three members of the 2025 championship team, sending Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe, and Aaron Wiggins away in salary dumps to reduce payroll for the 2026-27 season.
Even with those moves, Oklahoma City still looks positioned to compete again next season. The team brought back its core, and the roster still has enough in place to absorb the loss of those three role players.
In Other News...
Westbrooks Farewell Just Hit Thunder Fans Right In The Heart
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One of the more notable reactions came from DeMar DeRozan, who shared a public goodbye after they were teammates with the Kings last season. DeRozan has since moved on to Denver on a one-year deal and is expected to handle a Sixth Man role, but his message added a personal touch to a moment already loaded with nostalgia. For Thunder fans, it is another reminder that even as the league keeps moving, Westbrooks place in the story of Oklahoma City still resonates far beyond the final box score. [Read more 🡒]
Thunder Just Locked In A Title Piece At A Stunning Value
Isaiah Hartensteins run with the Thunder is set to continue after he agreed to a new three-year extension, keeping one of Oklahoma Citys most important frontcourt pieces in place through the 2028-29 season. Since arriving, Hartenstein has fit neatly into a team that has kept winning at the highest level, including a title run in 2025, and the move gives the Thunder another layer of continuity around a roster that already looks built to contend.
What makes the deal especially notable is the price point, which leaguewide has already drawn attention as a bargain for a center of Hartensteins caliber. He took a little less than his market value to stay in Oklahoma City, a sign of how much the situation matters to him and how well the fit has worked so far, even if the full implications for the Thunders long-term cap picture will continue to be watched closely. [Read more 🡒]
Thunder Suddenly Have A Young Rotation Battle Fans Should Watch
The Thunder are heading into a familiar kind of reset, one that usually comes with a champions problems instead of a rebuilding teams. After offseason departures thinned out the rotation, Oklahoma City is expected to lean more heavily on rookies and other untested pieces as it sorts through the minutes left behind by Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins.
That is where the real interest starts to build for Thunder fans, because this is no longer just about keeping the bench afloat. Nikola Topic, Thomas Sorber, Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz are all in position to get a look, and Stirtz has the kind of profile that could make him harder to ignore if the team needs more perimeter scoring. His college shooting efficiency gives him a chance to outplay expectations, which can turn a quiet competition for rotation spots into one of the more intriguing early season storylines. [Read more 🡒]