As the 2026-27 NBA season approaches, the Oklahoma City Thunder are seen as a strong title contender despite a summer of cost-cutting moves. The team's trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams continues to be one of the most successful in the league, having achieved a league-best record of 64-18 last season. However, their ambitions for a back-to-back championship were thwarted in the 2026 Western Conference Finals, largely due to injuries.
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To gauge fan sentiment heading into the new season, Thunder Wire conducted a 16-question survey among 1,145 fans. While not every question received responses, the feedback highlights a positive outlook, particularly regarding the 2026 NBA draft class. The Thunder selected Aday Mara with the No. 12 pick, Bennett Stirtz with the No. 16 pick, and Otega Oweh with the No. 41 pick. Over half of the participants rated the draft class with a B grade, expressing optimism for its future impact.
Mara, a 7-foot-3 center, brings a unique size that the Thunder have not had before, positioning him as an effective play-finisher and rim protector, although he still needs to improve his conditioning. Stirtz is expected to contribute significantly to bench scoring, with a promising role as an outside shooter.
The success of Mara and Stirtz will be closely monitored throughout the 2026-27 season as the Thunder look to rejuvenate their rotation after experiencing setbacks due to financial constraints affecting their depth.