Overview

• General manager Sam Presti told reporters the team is “pursuing our future,” stressing that OKC should let go of last year rather than try to replicate it.
• With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren signed to extensions and only marginal moves made, forecasts peg OKC as the favorite with win expectations around 62–65.
• Ajay Mitchell and Nikola Topić are set to compete for backup ball-handling duties, with Topić healthy after an ACL tear but his immediate impact still unclear.
• First-round pick Thomas Sorber will miss the season with a torn ACL, narrowing options in the frontcourt.
• Key dates: Media Day on Sept. 29 at 11 a.m. CT; training camp opens Sept. 30; preseason debut Oct. 5 vs. the Hornets; Opening Night Oct. 21 vs. the Rockets.