OKC Thunder Developing Duo | Who has Gotten Better This Summer?
OKC Thunder’s rookie duo sparks excitement as Summer League reveals flashes of a new dynamic pairing. Is Aday Mara’s high-post vision and rim protection the missing link for Oklahoma City’s frontcourt? Bennett Sturtz’s deep shooting and pick-and-roll mastery raise hopes for a versatile, offensively potent lineup—are the Thunder quietly assembling the NBA’s next young powerhouse?
Host Rylan Stiles teams up with Daily Thunder’s Brandon Rahbar to break down key takeaways from Summer League showings, highlight standout performances by Payton Sanford and Ortega Oweh, and debate which NBA teams have truly improved this offseason. The discussion analyzes shifts in championship contenders, summer league development angles, and how the LA Clippers’ moves might further benefit the Thunder’s future draft haul. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s new role with Team Canada also comes under the spotlight, hinting at possible tactical shifts for OKC next season.
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Knicks for me Tier 1.5……they have the Spurs' and Wemby's number, that has to account for something, OG and Brunson are incredible.
🦬🌩️🥶🔶🏆🔶🥶🌩️🦬
⚡️⚡️THUNDER🆙⚡️⚡️
I’m hoping real hard for JDub to be healthy. I think our season will hinge on that, so long as we have the consecutive MVP.
Mara, Stirtz and Oweh got the butt kicked in the first game. Then I thought I was watching the Spurs in the second game. It was the Spurs because they blew a 20 point lead. Mara was good blocking the rim. Stirtz looks like he could be a ball handler. I know they changed their mind on the 2-ways and waived Carlson and Sandfort but Sandfort looks healthy and his 3 pt shots are good. He said the Thunder player development was a blessing. Is there some reason they can't use Oweh, Barnhizer and Sandfort for the 2-ways? We need 3 pt shooting. All we have for 3 pt shots McCain, JWill, Stirtz, Shai and Ajay? These players are not guarantees on that. They should have kept Isaiah Joe instead of Lu Dort.
Package Dort, JDub, Topic, picks and move on with a trade. We could go after an affordable wing knocking those salaries off the team to finish the season under the apron. All the good affordable players are being snapped up. They will regret watching players like Rui go to the Spurs. Everyone loves the players from the Championship team but sometimes we need to part from them. The window for a chip closes quickly and we need to capitalize.
The worst part about offseason is reading fans overreactions
Mara and Stirtz will get roles to play starting in training camp, not in a contrived atmosphere where scrubs and perennial G-leaguers flail for attention.
Will Mara be held out on the second of a back to back? He played four minutes into the first quarter Monday and sought rest. He should be locked in a weight and cardio room for three months and be fed lean protein, unrefined carbs, and a pulse oximeter