Oklahoma City’s preseason opener in Tulsa comes with a shortened roster and a wider door for the rest of the group.
The Thunder face the New Orleans Pelicans tonight with eight players ruled out, which should shift the spotlight toward the guys who need these games most. Some of Oklahoma City’s missing pieces have already established themselves and have little to prove in October, but for a few others, this stretch could matter a lot. The preseason may not decide everything, but it can still give players a chance to build momentum.
One of the clearest names to watch is Mitchell. He’s one of the few key Thunder players available for the first game, and that likely puts the offense in his hands. Mitchell is expected to take another step this season, and this preseason is a chance to show it right away.
He’s also being viewed as one of the league’s top bench players, with DraftKings listing him as the favorite to win Sixth Man of the Year. That kind of attention raises the bar, and Mitchell has an opening here to show how much progress he’s made and why he deserves a major role.
Mara should get a heavy workload too, especially with Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein both out for the opener. That absence gives the Michigan product a real opportunity to jump in early and show he can be part of Oklahoma City’s frontcourt rotation from the start.
His defense in the paint is expected to be a big part of what he brings, and a strong first showing could lead to more minutes as the preseason rolls on.
Oweh is in a different lane. The second-round pick is on a two-way contract and is trying to prove he belongs on more than that. Oklahoma City still has one roster spot open, and a strong preseason could put him in the mix for it.
With several Thunder players on restricted workloads, Oweh should have chances to make his case against high-level competition. It’s a tall order for a rookie, but if he turns in a solid preseason, he can start pushing toward that open spot.
In Other News...
Chris Finch Sees One Early Sign Wolves Fans Will Love In LaMelo Ball
Chris Finch saw enough in the early going from LaMelo Ball to think Timberwolves fans can at least feel encouraged by what his new role might bring, and that is the kind of preseason detail coaches tend to linger on when they believe a player is settling into the right spots. For Oklahoma City, the broader league picture still matters because it shapes the matchups and opponents the Thunder will be chasing all season, while the preseason also offers its first real look at how rookies are adjusting to NBA speed and responsibility.
There was more around the West as well, with Denver weighing Julian Strawthers case for a rotation spot and other teams sorting out their own young talent, which only adds to the sense that the margin for climbing the standings will be thin. In Portland, Tom Dundons letter to season-ticket holders underscored both ambition and uncertainty, a reminder that even as franchises talk championship standards and arena upgrades, the future can still feel unsettled in the background. [Read more 🡒]
Thunder Got An Early Glimpse Of A New Role For Jared McCain
The Thunders preseason opener against the New Orleans Pelicans offered an early look at how Jared McCain might fit into a bigger offensive lane this fall. He played only the first half, but still finished with 12 points and five assists, spending most of his time looking to score from outside. It was a small sample, sure, but it was also the kind of start that hints at how Oklahoma City may want to use him as the calendar turns toward the regular season.
McCains shot profile already looked different in this first preseason game, with far more of his attempts coming from three-point range than in previous seasons. That matters for a Thunder team that suddenly has a clearer opening for perimeter firepower after Isaiah Joes departure, and McCain is now one of the names most worth tracking in that race. The real question is not whether the opportunity is there, but how far the Thunder are willing to lean into it. [Read more 🡒]
Aday Mara Is Forcing His Way Into OKC's Frontcourt Picture
Aday Mara has already started to look like more than just a developmental big in Oklahoma Citys frontcourt mix. Head coach Mark Daigneault said the rookie has made clear progress from summer league to training camp, and the Thunder have noticed the work showing up in ways that matter for a young center trying to earn trust early. At 7-foot-3, Mara brings the kind of size that naturally gets attention, but what has helped him stand out is the way he has carried himself into camp after the offseason.
For Oklahoma City, the appeal goes beyond height and draft pedigree. Daigneault pointed to Maras conditioning, defensive presence, mobility, rolling ability and hands as the traits that have made his camp impact harder to ignore, especially for a team that values versatility from its bigs. The real test comes soon enough, with the Thunder set to open preseason play against the New Orleans Pelicans in Tulsa, where Mara will get another chance to show how quickly he can fit into the picture. [Read more 🡒]