The Oklahoma City Thunder are heading into the 2025-26 season with the weight of both expectation and opportunity. Fresh off their first championship, the spotlight is firmly on their young superstar trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, who will once again carry the bulk of the production on both ends of the floor. 

For fantasy basketball managers, however, focusing only on Oklahoma City’s stars means overlooking a roster that is uniquely deep, versatile, and carefully constructed to maximize every possession. Sam Presti and Mark Daigneault have built a team where role players are not just placeholders, but essential contributors who can impact games in a variety of ways. 

That depth can be frustrating for opponents, but it creates hidden fantasy value for savvy managers who know where to look. In leagues where efficiency, steals, rebounds, and multi-category contributions matter as much as raw scoring, the Thunder may be one of the richest sources of underrated fantasy pickups in the league.

Here are the potentially underrated fantasy pickups on the Thunder:

Cason Wallace

Wallace is one of the most intriguing options. Now in his third season, Wallace has already made a name for himself with his perimeter defense and ability to generate steals. Those defensive numbers translate directly to fantasy value, particularly in category formats where steals can make the difference in weekly matchups. 

Wallace is also improving as a shooter, hitting threes at an efficient clip without dominating the ball. Not to mention, he could be in for an expanded role as he has been in his first two years. If his offensive role expands, he could emerge as one of the league’s better two-way guards available in later rounds. 

Aaron Wiggins 

Aaron Wiggins is the man who saved basketball, so why not pick him? 

More importantly, though, Wiggins is another player who should not be overlooked. He has carved out a role as a high-energy wing who can score efficiently and space the floor. He doesn’t need high usage to be effective, and that makes him a safe bet for fantasy managers looking for three-pointers and strong shooting percentages. 

While his production may not be flashy, Wiggins offers consistency and the ability to slide into a larger role whenever the Thunder rest their stars or deal with injuries.

Isaiah Hartenstein 

Isaiah Hartenstein is perhaps the most versatile fantasy asset among Oklahoma City’s role players. A rare big man who can rebound, block shots, and also dish out assists, Hartenstein offers a multi-category skill set that is extremely valuable. 

His efficiency around the rim boosts field goal percentage, and his rebounding provides a reliable floor. Even when his minutes fluctuate due to matchup-based rotations, his ability to contribute across the board makes him an underrated fantasy option in both points and category leagues.

Lu Dort

Lu Dort, often known more for his defense than his offense, also deserves fantasy consideration. Dort’s scoring has been streaky, but when his three-point shot is falling, he becomes a legitimate two-way contributor. 

His defensive stats, steals and occasional blocks, make him a strong streaming option, and his ability to guard multiple positions keeps him locked into heavy minutes. Managers in deeper leagues will appreciate Dort’s combination of volume threes and defensive production, especially if he finds more offensive consistency this season.

Nikola Topić

Nikola Topić, the Thunder’s young playmaker, could emerge as a surprise fantasy contributor. Known for his passing instincts and court vision, Topić has the potential to become a second unit catalyst who racks up assists and keeps the offense flowing. 

While he will need to adjust to the NBA game, Oklahoma City’s developmental system is one of the best in the league. In dynasty formats, Topić should already be on managers’ radar, and even in redraft leagues, he could carve out value as the season progresses.