After winning their first NBA championship, the Oklahoma City Thunder enter the 2025-26 season set to run it back with much of the same roster as last year.
Sam Presti & Co. left the team primarily intact, opting to re-sign Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell, Jaylen Williams and Jaylin Williams. The only departure came after trading second-year forward Dillon Jones to the Washington Wizards.
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The Thunder selected Thomas Sorber (15th) and Brooks Barnhizer (44th) in the 2025 NBA draft. However, Sorber is expected to miss the entire season after sustaining a torn ACL in his right knee during a workout in Oklahoma City on Sept. 4.
While the NBA hasn’t seen a team repeat as champions since the Golden State Warriors during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, the Thunder enter the upcoming campaign favored to win, boasting the best odds in the league (plus-275).
With the team opening training camp on Sept. 30, Rookie Wire examined the Thunder’s depth chart and offered an early projection of the starters and backups entering the season.
PG
Jun 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots the ball over Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) during the third quarter during game one of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: $38,333,050
Ajay Mitchell: $3,000,000
Nikola Topić: $5,182,920
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SG
Jun 8, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) and forward Chet Holmgren (7) reaches for the ball against Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) during the first quarter during game two of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Luguentz Dort: $18,222,222
Cason Wallace: $5,820,240
SF
Jun 16, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) reacts during the fourth quarter of game five of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Jalen Williams: $6,580,997
Aaron Wiggins: $10,102,803
PF
Mar 16, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) takes a shot against Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) in the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Chet Holmgren: $13,731,368
Kenrich Williams: $7,163,000
Ousmane Dieng: $6,670,882
C
May 18, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) celebrates with guard Cason Wallace (22) after a basket against the Denver Nuggets in the second half during game seven of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Isaiah Hartenstein: $28,500,000
Jaylin Williams: $8,450,704
Thomas Sorber: $4,655,040
Two-Way Contracts
Thunder salary information via Spotrac
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Thunder depth chart: Projecting starters, backups for 2025-26 season