Who Is OKC Thunder's Fourth Best Player?

The Oklahoma City Thunder boast one of, if not the best Big 3's in all of basketball.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the back to back Most Valuable Player and currently holds the unofficial title of best player in the world. Jalen Williams was named an All-Star/All-Defense/All-NBA player two years ago. Chet Holmgren was named an All-Star/All-Defense/All-NBA player last season. The trio won an NBA Championship together at 26, 24 and 23 years old.

But who is the Thunder's fourth best player behind Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and Holmgren?

It's a fascinating question because OKC has a deep and loaded roster with multiple answers that each makes sense. There are four players who stand out as real contenders. So let's lay out the case for each candidate.

OKC Thunder's Fourth Best Player: The Four Nominees

Isaiah Hartenstein. The Thunder's best rebounder. A high impact, versatile center who doubles as a top tier rim protector on defense and a playmaking hub on offense. His trademark push shot has bailed out countless possessions. His crushing screens give OKC's All-Stars more space to go get buckets.

Cason Wallace. The player most likely to fill Lu Dort's big 3&D shoes in the starting lineup. Wallace was named a Second Team All Defense selection last year. Led the league in total steals last season. Holds the title of greatest winning percentage by a player in NBA history. Still just scratching the surface of his full powers at only 22 years old.   

Alex Caruso. The only two time champion on the team. The only two time All-Defense selection on the team. Caruso transforms into the Thunder's game-changing X factor in the playoffs. There are times in the postseason where he is closer to OKC's second best player than their fourth best player.

Ajay Mitchell. Much like Jalen Williams, the combo guard from Belgium is a do-it-all jack of all trades. Mitchell is a positive scorer, playmaker, driver, shooter and defender. He had a solid chance of winning Sixth Man of the Year last season until a rash of injuries left him short of the minimum games requirement. And the only player on the list that moonlights as a college basketball general manager.

There is no clear, definitive answer in attempting to name Oklahoma City's fourth best player. A winning argument could be made for Hartenstein, Wallace, Caruso or Mitchell. And that's one of the reasons the team is so good.