Overview
- GM Sam Presti told reporters he believes the team could be "exceptional" by season's end if key players stay healthy.
- Oklahoma City traded Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to shed salary and drop below the NBA's second apron, a payroll cap that limits roster flexibility.
- Presti estimated the departures remove about 10,000 combined minutes, roughly a quarter of the minutes the club used over recent seasons.
- The Thunder keep their core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, and Presti said Williams "looks fantastic" as he progresses in rehab.
- Younger players including Jared McCain, Ajay Mitchell and Cason Wallace are set for larger roles while Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber follow slower, more cautious return-to-play timetables.