RADIO
Jalen Williams Looks Fantastic After Full Offseason
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (wrist, hamstring) is healthy entering training camp after an injury-plagued 2025-26 season. "What we're hopeful of is that he really just needed a full offseason to get back. He looks fantastic," general manager Sam Presti said, according to Clemente Almanza of OKC Thunder Wire. Wrist surgery cost Williams the first 19 games last season before recurring hamstring issues limited him to 33 appearances. He averaged 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.2 steals after scoring 21.6 points per game during his 2024-25 All-NBA campaign. A healthy camp is an encouraging start, though his hamstrings remain the key concern for his fantasy outlook.
Source: Clemente Almanza
Source: Clemente Almanza
Ajay Mitchell Tabbed by Sam Presti for Bigger Role
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell could be in line for a larger role after general manager Sam Presti mentioned him and guard Jared McCain as players capable of making a jump this season. Mitchell averaged 13.6 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals in 25.8 minutes across 57 games last year, while producing 18.9 points and 5.0 assists per 36 minutes. Luguentz Dort's offseason departure should create additional backcourt opportunities, though Mitchell will still share minutes with Cason Wallace and other guards. Staying healthy will be key, but his scoring and playmaking make him worth monitoring if his workload grows.
Source: Brandon Rahbar
Source: Brandon Rahbar
Jared McCain Earns High Praise From GM Sam Presti
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain drew praise from general manager Sam Presti ahead of training camp. "There's a lot more to him as a player than someone who can come in and rip off a bunch of 3s. He's a winning player," Presti said, according to Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com. McCain averaged 10.4 points and 1.8 threes on 39.1 percent shooting from deep in 18.0 minutes across 30 games with Oklahoma City last season. The departures of Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe, and Aaron Wiggins should create more perimeter opportunities, though McCain will still compete with Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell for minutes. His shooting makes him worth monitoring if his role expands.
Source: Brandon Rahbar
Source: Brandon Rahbar
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Experiments with More Off-Ball Work
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander asked Team Canada head coach Gordie Herbert to use him more off the ball this summer, according to Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor. The two-time MVP worked more as a cutter and spot-up threat during World Cup qualifying, though Oklahoma City has not announced any role change. A healthier Jalen Williams could ease some of Gilgeous-Alexander's creation burden, with Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain also capable of handling possessions. Even with a modest dip in on-ball usage, Gilgeous-Alexander should remain an elite fantasy option after averaging 31.1 points, 6.6 assists, and 1.4 steals on 55.3 percent shooting last season.
Source: Kevin O'Connor
Source: Kevin O'Connor
Thunder Sign Christoph Tilly to an Exhibit 10 Deal
The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed center Christoph Tilly to an Exhibit 10 contract, according to Andrew Schlecht. The 7-foot German went undrafted out of Ohio State after a 118-game college career between Santa Clara and the Buckeyes, averaging 9.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 20.6 minutes. Tilly also played six Summer League games for Oklahoma City, posting 6.0 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 53.1 percent from the field. Exhibit 10 deals are usually about camp depth and G-League positioning, and there is no clear NBA runway here with Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams, Aday Mara, and Thomas Sorber already in the frontcourt mix. With Oklahoma City's two-way spots already full, Tilly looks more likely to land with the OKC Blue than on fantasy rosters.
Source: Andrew Schlecht
Source: Andrew Schlecht
Jalen Williams Tries to Reclaim All-NBA Form
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (hamstring, wrist) spent the summer working on his body and searching for answers after recurring hamstring issues derailed his 2025-26 season, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. The 25-year-old missed the first 19 games after surgery on his shooting wrist, then strains to both hamstrings cost him extended time. Williams played only 33 regular-season games and five of Oklahoma City's 15 playoff contests, averaging 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.2 steals. His max rookie extension kicks in this season, and the Thunder have less proven depth after moving Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe in offseason trades. The upside is obvious: Williams was third-team All-NBA and second-team All-Defense in 2024-25 while averaging 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. The injury discount is real, but so is the bounce-back ceiling if his hamstrings hold up.
Source: Tim MacMahon
Source: Tim MacMahon
Cason Wallace Lines Up for Full-Time Starting Role
Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Cason Wallace is expected to slide into the starting shooting guard spot after the team moved Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Joe, and Aaron Wiggins for financial reasons, according to ESPN's Anthony Slater. Wallace already made 58 starts last season, averaging 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.9 steals in 26.6 minutes, so the fantasy bump comes down to touches more than trust. He is extension-eligible until October, giving Oklahoma City another reason to clarify his long-term role. Ajay Mitchell also benefits after a 13.6-point breakout, but Wallace has the cleaner path to defensive stats and starter-level minutes.
Source: Anthony Slater
Source: Anthony Slater
Isaiah Hartenstein Back in Oklahoma City for Offseason Work
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein is back at the team's practice facility ahead of training camp, posting a photo from the building on his Instagram story Monday, according to Clemente Almanza of OKC Thunder Wire. The 28-year-old signed a three-year, $75 million extension in June that runs through 2028-29, keeping his frontcourt role secure. Hartenstein was limited to 47 games last season, averaging 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 24.2 minutes while shooting 62.2 percent from the field. Chet Holmgren and Jaylin Williams keep the ceiling in check, but Hartenstein's rebounds, assists, and efficiency still give him a useful fantasy lane when healthy.
Source: Clemente Almanza
Source: Clemente Almanza
Cason Wallace Faces Extension Deadline with Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace remains unsigned to a rookie-scale extension, with the 2023 draft class deadline set for Oct. 19 at 5 p.m. CT, according to Clemente Almanza of OKC Thunder Wire. The 22-year-old is coming off his best season, averaging 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.9 steals in 26.6 minutes across 77 games. Wallace led the NBA with 150 total steals and earned All-Defensive Second Team honors, giving him a fantasy floor even without heavy usage. Luguentz Dort's trade to Atlanta creates a clearer path to start next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, though Wallace still needs more scoring consistency to become more than a defensive-category anchor.
Source: Clemente Almanza
Source: Clemente Almanza
Aday Mara Blocks Four Shots in Spain's Loss to Portugal
Oklahoma City Thunder center Aday Mara posted 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, and four blocks in Spain's 95-89 loss to Portugal on Friday in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. The No. 12 pick in June's draft went 3-for-8 from the field and 6-for-7 at the line in 19 minutes, while Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta countered with 16 points and nine rebounds for Portugal. The rim protection tracks with Mara's Michigan profile after he averaged 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.6 blocks en route to Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors and a national title. Oklahoma City's frontcourt is crowded, though, with Isaiah Hartenstein back on a fresh three-year deal, Chet Holmgren locked into heavy minutes, and Jaylin Williams and Thomas Sorber also in the backup mix. Mara remains off fantasy radars until that logjam thins.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to Skip Canada's Next FIBA Window
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will sit out Canada's Window 4 slate for FIBA World Cup qualifying, according to Clemente Almanza of OKC Thunder Wire. Gilgeous-Alexander was not named to Canada's 15-man roster after suiting up earlier this summer, leaving Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker to headline the group. Canada enters the second round at 6-0, playing at Panama on Thursday before hosting Argentina on Monday in Quebec City. Hawks guard Luguentz Dort and veteran big man Kelly Olynyk are also in camp. There is no fantasy move to make here, but the extra rest is a small plus for Gilgeous-Alexander as the reigning back-to-back MVP heads toward Thunder camp as one of the safest early fantasy anchors.
Source: Clemente Almanza
Source: Clemente Almanza
Cason Wallace Shows Off Scoring Growth
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace enters the final season of his rookie-scale deal with more attention on his offensive growth after a recent open-gym clip showed off his handle, pull-up shooting, and finishing. The 22-year-old already has the defensive role locked in after earning All-Defensive Second Team honors, so the next step is becoming more than a low-usage guard. Wallace averaged 8.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.9 steals in 26.6 minutes last season. Oklahoma City moved Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe this summer, creating more perimeter minutes, but Wallace still has to share touches behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren. The steals give him a fantasy floor, while a double-digit scoring jump would make him much more useful.
Source: Clemente Almanza
Source: Clemente Almanza
Nikola Topic Faces Make-or-Break Year
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic enters a pivotal 2026-27 season with a 2027-28 team option hanging over his future. The 21-year-old has already dealt with a torn left ACL that wiped out his first NBA season, a testicular cancer diagnosis that delayed his debut until February, and offseason back surgery that he is expected to return from by training camp. Topic flashed late last season with back-to-back double-doubles, including an 18-point, 14-assist game against Phoenix that tied a Thunder rookie record. Oklahoma City moved Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe this offseason, but minutes are still not guaranteed with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace, Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, and Alex Caruso in the guard mix. Topic has passing upside, but he needs a steady role before becoming fantasy relevant.
Source: Grayson Buchanan
Source: Grayson Buchanan
Aday Mara Works on Conditioning
Oklahoma City Thunder center Aday Mara is working on his NBA conditioning in Spain with Maral Javadifar, the team's athletic performance director, according to Clemente Almanza of OKC Thunder Wire. Javadifar spent the past seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was part of the Super Bowl LV staff that beat Kansas City. Mara, the No. 12 pick in June out of national champion Michigan, remains a long-term fantasy stash rather than an early contributor. He is set to compete with Jaylin Williams for backup center minutes behind Isaiah Hartenstein, while Chet Holmgren anchors the frontcourt. Mara is also on Spain's roster for World Cup qualifiers against Portugal on Friday and Greece on Monday.
Source: Clemente Almanza
Source: Clemente Almanza
Isaiah Hartenstein is Battling Ankle Injury
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (ankle) won't play for Germany during this summer's FIBA 2027 World Cup Qualifiers, according to basketnews.com. The big man is currently sitting out while managing an ankle injury. He has decided to play it safe and get fully healthy for the beginning of training camp. This injury sounds minor and shouldn't be something that lingers into the regular season. Fantasy managers should check back for another update on his status closer to training camp.
Source: basketnews.com
Source: basketnews.com
