Between the draft, decisions on extending guys like Isaiah Hartenstein and Kenrich Williams, and trading Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe, this was a big-time offseason for the Thunder.
But the fanbase is still on the edge of their seats waiting for the ultimate decision on one more thing, and that is whether or not OKC and Cason Wallace will be able to strike up an extension before the deadline of the day before the season opener on October 20th in San Antonio.
Ultimately, I do think the two sides will be able to get a deal done, but time keeps ticking away, and you have to begin to wonder about the possibility that this decision on a possible extension could reach the offseason, when Cason would become a restricted free agent, which I don't think is a spot the Thunder want to be in, getting into potential bidding wars with other teams.Oct 12, 2026 
ThunderRoundtableThunderRoundtable Otega Oweh was a super interesting defensive prospect coming into the NBA Draft, whom the Thunder ultimately grabbed in the second round.
And with all the potential that Oweh has to become an impact player on defense, you almost couldn't have built a better room of elite defensive vets for him to learn from, with him studying under the wings of Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso, and Jalen Williams, who are all former NBA All-Defensive players at his same position.
Here is what Otega had to say about learning from some of the best defenders in the world every day at practice.
“I definitely want to continue to work on my hands because Dub, Caso, AC too, are probably some of the best guys in terms of deflections and stuff like that.”Oct 11, 2026 ThunderRoundtable Whether at Missouri State, where he started his college career, or in his last two seasons at Iowa, where he followed head coach Ben McCollum to the Hawkeyes, Bennett Stirtz was one of the most dominant on-ball engines and bell cows in college basketball.
He was the alpha and omega of those offenses, but coming into the NBA, Stirtz is primed for a much different role than he had in college.
His shooting talents have been evident for a while, but his catch-and-shoot has really shone in the preseason as he plays off the Thunder's more established players.
Today, after a practice session in OKC, Stirtz spoke about playing off the ball more.
“Whatever the team needs me to do to win. It’s easier when you have the best player in the world out there.”Oct 10, 2026 ThunderRoundtable ThunderRoundtable ThunderRoundtable ThunderRoundtable With the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jaylin Williams as a late scratch, there were gonna be plenty of opportunities and minutes up for grabs for OKC.
We got to see our first preseason action for this Thunder team, but more specifically for rookies Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz, who both showed flashes of why OKC selected them in the draft.
Mara dropped 12 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks in 18 minutes on 100% shooting and didn't play the second half.
Stirtz started out hot, making his first three 3s, and finished the night with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists on 67% shooting before he turned his ankle late in the game and didn't return.
Obviously, we hope Stirtz is alright. I would be shocked if he played tomorrow, with the Thunder likely taking the most cautious path possible, but either way it was good to see the team back in action again and, more specifically, to see those two rookies get off to some good starts in their preseason debuts.Oct 7, 2026 ThunderRoundtable We are one day away from Thunder hoops! It may be preseason action, but it will still be great to see the team on the floor playing again.
Earlier today at OKC training camp, Mark Daigneault discussed who will be available tomorrow night in Tulsa.
According to Mark, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Cason Wallace will not play, and Thomas Sorber and Nikola Topić are still limited in training camp and the preseason due to injury.
But even without the stars, it should be a lot of fun to see Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, and a ton of young players getting some run and showing off what they can do.Oct 5, 2026 ThunderRoundtable ThunderRoundtable Ajay Mitchell has taken massive leaps and bounds as a player on both ends of the floor for the Thunder since coming into the NBA. Rightfully, it is his offense that gets the most shine, but what he has become and shaped himself into on defense has been just as valuable in turning him into a legit two-way force that Mark Daigneault and the Thunder can trust in all types of situations.
Earlier today at Thunder training camp, Ajay was asked about what all has contributed to his improvement and growth as a defender.
“I think one of them is just being part of a team that's so good defensively. We had great guys. Like last year we had Lu, we have AC, we have Cason, we have Dub. We have great defensive players and that helps just learning from them and me just learning the game, getting stronger, and all that helps. Just being a competitor. I think defensively, at the end of the day, it comes down to competing.”Oct 5, 2026 ThunderRoundtable ThunderRoundtable ThunderRoundtable All the talk about Jalen Williams being back and healthy for the Thunder has focused almost exclusively on his offense, not everything that he can do on the other end too.
Today at Oklahoma City Thunder training camp, I asked one of the best defenders in the world, Alex Caruso, about what getting back Jalen Williams will mean for an already elite Thunder defensive unit.
"Yeah, I mean, Dub's a pretty complete basketball player, you know what I mean? He was an All-Defensive team member as well as All-NBA that year he played the full year for us, so just getting a versatile player back. You know, that's something that I think that in the current age of basketball and state of the game. We need guys that can do a little bit of everything. And he does a little bit of everything at a high level."Oct 3, 2026 ThunderRoundtable Jared McCain is one of the NBA's most talented and skilled shooters. Earlier today at Thunder training camp, I asked JMac about another shooter on this Thunder team, rookie Bennett Stirtz, and his thoughts on his game, specifically Stirtz’s 3-point shooting.
"Yeah, I mean, he's got a quick release; he's able to take those kinds of shots, and he's really well off the dribble. When you're able to affect the game like that, I think that's probably the biggest thing. You're able to come off screens, hit a shot, be able to stay in the corner, and be able to knock down shots is a huge thing in this league, and especially this team, we're gonna need him."Oct 3, 2026 ThunderRoundtable ThunderRoundtable Russell Westbrook's retirement this off-season was some massive news in the NBA, but especially in Oklahoma City, as the greatest player in the Thunder's franchise history.
Today at training camp, Mark Daigneault was asked about Westbrook's retirement and had some glowing praise for Russ's impact on and off the floor in OKC.
“First of all, congrats to him on an unbelievable first-ballot career. Obviously one of the giants of the game, not only in Oklahoma City but in the history of the league. He brought a particular spirit to the game and fearlessness and competitiveness that made it very easy to gravitate to him, and obviously this city did, and he reciprocated it. He's an unbelievable member of the community; even to this day, he's doing great work in the community. Special player, special guy, congratulations to him.”Sep 30, 2026 ThunderRoundtable ThunderRoundtable ThunderRoundtable The NBA at the end of the day is a business, but that doesn't mean that players who build relationships, bonds, and friendships are in any sort of way robots. It was bittersweet for the Thunder's roster to see Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe all go this summer.
All their now-former OKC teammates were happy to see them get some more opportunities in a new spot, but that doesn't mean it was easy to say goodbye.Today at the Thunder's media day, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spoke about those offseason deals and life being sorta weird without those guys now in OKC.
“I was saying to somebody yesterday that it feels like they are not even gone. Like it feels like we are going to see them in a few minutes at team pictures, just because those guys, all three of them, were like so embedded in our group.
Obviously we're a really close, tight-knit group, and those guys had a big hand in not only our success on the court but the relationships and the brotherhood off the court. And that will never change. Those guys will only be one call away from me and vice versa.
But with that being said, it's the business of the NBA, right. I don't think anybody has played with all 12 guys their whole career. That's how it goes. It sucks a little bit. But yeah, it is what it is. And we have a few new additions that I'm super excited for, and that will be really fun just to -- like part of the excitement of having new players and things like that is figuring out how to make each other better, and hopefully that unlocks new things for us. It will be exciting, regardless, and those guys will also be missed at the same time.”Sep 29, 2026 ThunderRoundtable 
