With training camp less than a month away, the Thunder are already back in work mode, squeezing in some final offseason tune-ups before the long haul of the 2026-27 season begins. Oklahoma City is set to enter that season as a co-title favorite with the San Antonio Spurs, and even after the club’s cost-cutting moves, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams keep the team firmly in the championship conversation.
Amid that prep, two familiar teammates found time to reconnect. Jared McCain and Jaylin Williams reunited on Sunday, Sept. 7, with the meetup happening presumably in either OKC or Dallas. That guess lines up with the Thunder frontcourt room holding a player-run workout earlier in the day in Dallas.
McCain shared the moment on his Instagram story with a selfie alongside Williams. His caption said: "Reunited with bestie."
The pairing makes sense. After Oklahoma City brought in McCain at the 2026 NBA trade deadline, his upbeat, bubbly energy fit right in with Williams’ similarly positive approach.
The transition was smooth, and the locker room vibe stayed steady - maybe even got better. The Thunder didn’t need long to get McCain comfortable with the rest of the group.
Both players are now positioned for bigger roles this season. McCain could be asked to take on more offense after the departures, while Williams has established himself as one of the league’s best backup centers. Even with the depth chart taking a hit, Oklahoma City still profiles as one of the NBA’s deepest teams.
In Other News...
Thunder Title Hopes Still Rest On One Risky 2026-27 Bet
The Thunder have already built a title-caliber foundation around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, but the path to another real championship run still leans heavily on the players around them holding up and taking another step. Oklahoma Citys next window is being framed by the health and development of a few key pieces, with the front office betting that its depth can keep pace even after a busy offseason that changed the look of the rotation.
Jalen Williams remains the biggest swing in that equation, since his availability and growth could shape how high this group can climb, and the pressure does not stop there. The Thunder also need Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell to help absorb the minutes and production left behind by offseason moves involving Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe, which makes the 2026-27 picture feel both promising and a little fragile at the same time. [Read more 🡒]
Former Thunder Pick Gets Another NBA Shot After Winning Two Titles
Dillon Jones keeps finding his way back into NBA conversations, even if the path has been anything but straightforward. The former Thunder first-round pick is already a two-time champion, having collected title rings with Oklahoma City and the New York Knicks after being drafted by the Thunder in 2024 and later moving on from the organization.
Jones journey since then has included a trade to the Wizards in 2025, a waiver, and then a return to the league on a two-way deal with New York in 2026. He was part of the Knicks postseason run but was not eligible for the playoffs because of that contract status, and now he is set for another opportunity to prove he belongs as he heads into training camp with Philadelphia. [Read more 🡒]
Thunder Face A Costly Cason Wallace Decision At The Worst Time
Cason Wallace has put the Thunder in a tricky spot as the October 19 deadline nears, with the restricted free agent still without a contract extension. Oklahoma City has plenty to weigh here: Wallace is already carrying the rsum of a young player teams value highly, with an NBA championship and All-Defensive recognition helping set the tone for his next payday.
The market may be even richer than the Thunder would prefer. NBA analyst Zach Lowe reported that rival front-office voices viewed Wallace as the best of a small group of 2023 draft players, and leaguewide estimates for his next deal have landed in the $25 million to $33 million range annually. For a team trying to manage its future while keeping its core intact, the clock is forcing an uncomfortable decision. [Read more 🡒]