What Each Member of OKC Thunder can IMPROVE at Next Season

What Each Member of OKC Thunder can IMPROVE at Next Season

July 8, 2026



What Each Member of OKC Thunder can IMPROVE at Next Season

Oklahoma City Thunder aim to elevate their championship aspirations by targeting key improvements from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s off-ball versatility to Jalen Williams’ three-point volume and Chet Holmgren’s jump shot mechanics. Can tweaks in scoring threats and quicker decision-making unlock a new level for this young core?

Rylan Stiles breaks down what each Thunder player—including Isaiah Hartenstein’s chemistry, Lou Dort’s three-point shooting, and high-upside rookies like Nikola Topic and Bennett Sturtz—must refine to keep OKC at the top of the Western Conference. The discussion explores defensive shifts, ball movement strategy, and the critical adjustments needed to go from contender to champion. Don’t miss this strategic roadmap for Oklahoma City Thunder’s pursuit of NBA glory.

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View Comments (9)

  3. It was a real grind and full of injuries, getting healthy, SGA looks refreshed with a new look, usually I am skeptical about playing for NT, but it brings him joy.

  4. I don't have a lot of confidence in this roster. Did you see Yaxel or Cam Boozer? We should have traded picks with incentives and moved up to GSW. Mara is slow and we have no reliable 3 pt shooters. Ajay and Cason should start in the minutes of JDub and Dort. JDub is chronically injured. He's regressed the same way as Dort. We all love our championship team but if we want another chip, there will new players to love. Stop drafting injured players. Are we ever going to see Sorber play with the team? Trade JDub, Dort, Topic and picks. See if we could get someone like Trey Murphy. There is no path forward as it is now. Remember that you have to win regular season games to get to the Playoffs. I want the Thunder to finish the seaon as #1 in the West and #1 in the NBA.

  6. Chet needs a high catch and release 3 like Jwill developed last year. He also needs to get in the weight room. He got bodied so easily by everyone on SA.

  7. With mitchell starting and dort gone we wll actually have a true point guard and it's going to make the starting lineup considerably better just by the subtraction of Dort. We really just need to be healthy. nobody is beating okc in a 7 game playoff series for the next few years if we're healthy. i would have to see that to believe it.

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