The Oklahoma City Thunder are heading into next season with a familiar kind of problem: replacing a real weapon from deep. Isaiah Joe is gone after being traded to the Detroit Pistons earlier this offseason for two second-round draft picks, a move that opened up roster spots and cap room for OKC. What it also did was leave a noticeable gap in the Thunder’s three-point shooting.
That void won’t be patched by one player alone, even if Jared McCain looks like the most obvious candidate to help carry the load. McCain connected on 39.1% of his threes last season and came through with big postseason shots to help keep the Thunder afloat.
But asking a player going into just his third season to replace that much production is a heavy lift. The more realistic answer for Oklahoma City is a group effort.
McCain will have help from a few other young guards, starting with Cason Wallace. Wallace caught fire from beyond the arc in the postseason, where he shot 48.5% from three-point land. If that carries over into next season - especially if he’s in a starting role - he could become one of the Thunder’s top perimeter options.
Ajay Mitchell is another name in the mix. He isn’t viewed as the purest shooter in the group, but even a step forward from deep would matter.
Mitchell is expected to have another breakout year in the 2026-27 season, and one of the biggest ways that could happen is by becoming more consistent from three. If that shot comes around, it only strengthens the whole unit.
Oklahoma City also looked to the draft for help, adding Bennett Stirtz. In college, Stirtz shot 37.2% from three while averaging 19.5 points per game. He shouldn’t be expected to take over the perimeter offense, but when he gets a chance, he’s the kind of young guard who will let it fly early.
The Thunder have plenty of holes to address with this new roster, but the shooting replacement can’t fall on one player’s shoulders. If Oklahoma City wants to keep its deep ball production where it needs to be, the answer has to come from everybody.
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Now the question is whether Wallace can turn that profile into something bigger if his minutes and responsibilities expand. He has talked about staying focused on competing and improving no matter what his contract situation looks like, and for the Thunder that mindset matters just as much as the scoring jump they may need from him if he is going to become a starter. [Read more 🡒]
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Jalen Williams Just Got A Brother Storyline Thunder Fans Will Watch
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It also comes with a prime-time schedule twist that should make the matchup even more watchable. Oklahoma City and Minnesota are set to see plenty of each other, including a Christmas Day meeting that will put the Williams family connection in the national spotlight. The Timberwolves cap maneuver to open room for Jonathan Kuminga only adds to the sense that this is a deal with ripple effects far beyond the immediate box score. [Read more 🡒]