Evaluating The Players Competing For A Spot On The Final 15-Man Roster

Training camp will begin for the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 3, right after media day. In the weeks following leading up to opening night on Oct. 25 in Chicago against the Bulls, major decisions will need to be made.

Oklahoma City currently has 18 players on full-time NBA contracts, but will need to cut that number to 15 by 4 p.m. CT on Oct. 23, which is the deadline for final opening night rosters.

While the majority of players that will make the 15-man roster are essentially locked in, three players will need to be cut or traded by that date.

With that in mind, who are the 18 players that are in the running for the final 15 roster spots?

Aaron Wiggins

Wiggins has quietly been a very productive player with the minutes he has recieved thus far in his NBA career. He played in 70 games last season and even made an impact during the play-in tournament. While he’s certainly an NBA player and could help this Thunder team again this season, he does have something to prove in camp.

Aleksej Pokusevski

A 7-footer that fits the modern NBA well with his versatility, Pokusevski got off to a great start last season. However, his 2022-23 campaign was essentially cut short due to injuries. He’s suffered two more injuries this offseason ahead what is the final year of his current contract, but is still a quality prospect.

Cason Wallace

After being selected with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Wallace will look to integrate himself in the Thunder rotation as a rookie. He’s a fantastic on-ball defender and can also known down spot-up triples. It may take him some time to work his way into the regular rotation, but Wallace will have a chance to shine in the preseason.

Chet Holmgren

Holmgren is expected to be the starting center on opening night after missing the entirety of last season with a foot injury. He’s the type of player that can change the game on both ends and should be one of the better players on the team in his first on-court season. As he continues to get his legs under him, it’s all about building chemistry with teammates over the next few weeks.

Davis Bertans

Oklahoma City brought the contract of Bertans on during the offseason to move up in the draft. While he’s set to make $17 million this season — which is more than his production is worth at this point — he is a 6-foot-10 sniper from beyond the arc. It would be somewhat surprising to see him get cut during camp given he has two years left on his deal, but he’s only guaranteed $5 million in the 2024-24 season.

Isaiah Joe

Joe was picked up during training camp a year ago and ended up being one of the most impactful players on the roster. He put together a career year, filling it up from deep and elevating the offense. He’s essentially safe from being waived in camp, but should still use it as an opportunity to carve out an early role.

Jack White

In what was a surprising signing this offseason, the Thunder brought Jack White onto the roster on a cheap deal with minimal guarantees. Among the players competing for a spot on the opening night roster, White feels like a clear cut candidate. While he is a quality player, he is still more of a G League prospect at this point.

Jalen Williams

Following an incredible rookie season, Williams has the chance to emerge as the second-best player on the team this season. With his size and skillset, he can play all over the floor on both ends. Training camp and the preseason will be an opportunity to get in game shape and ensure he’s ready to make a significant impact on opening night and beyond.

Jaylin Williams

Due to all of the injuries the team faced last season, Williams ended up being the starting center down the stretch. As he enters his second season, he will be more of a rotational piece off the bench. He plays solid defense and can space the floor, but he’ll be fighting for minutes over the next few weeks, even if he is essentially a lock to make the team.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

Although he had a great rookie season, Robinson-Earl regressed last season. This was primarily due to injuries, but he also struggled in Summer League in July. There’s a real chance the Villanova product doesn’t make the 15-man roster, so these next few weeks are huge for him.

Josh Giddey

With the opportunity to develop into an All-Star caliber player this season, Giddey will look to carry the momentum he built at the 2023 FIBA World Cup this summer into the upcoming NBA season. With incredible vision and positional size, he’s a cornerstone piece of the franchise. The 3-point shot is the biggest question, so that will be something to keep an eye on in preseason play.

Kenrich Williams

An injury cut Williams’ season short last season, but prior to that he was one of the most impactful players on the team. Now that he’s healthy, the 28-year-old will look to slot back into the regular rotation once again. After several months away from the court, expect the preseason to provide valuable reps for the veteran.

Lu Dort

Dort will be playing in the second season of his five-year, $82,5 million contract in the 2023-24 campaign. As good as his defense is, the offense will need to improve this season if the Thunder is going to reach its ceiling. Nonetheless, he will be a great mentor to Wallace in camp, who is similar player on the defensive side of the ball.

Ousmane Dieng

If anyone is going to make a huge year-over-year jump in role and production, it’s Dieng. His rookie season was hindered by a wrist injury, but overall he had a solid campaign. A forward with perimeter skills, he will have a good chance of cracking the every night rotation this season.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Now that he’s established himself as the face of the franchise, Gilgeous-Alexander has even higher expectations. He’s the leader of the team and one of the best players in the entire NBA. He will play a huge role in training camp both on and off the floor.

Tre Mann

Mann had a promising rookie campaign, but experienced a sophomore slump last season. It would be a bit surprising to see the former first-round pick get cut during camp, but he does have a lot to prove. While it’s clear he can create for himself and score the ball, it’s the other things on the court he needs to improve on to really help this team.

Vasilije Micic

A 29-year-old rookie, Micic is one of the most mysterious members of the roster. He’s proven to be an elite player overseas, but the NBA is a different game. Training camp and preseason action will be huge for the Serbian guard as he looks to integrate himself into the roster and NBA style of play. If he’s able to figure things out early, he could quickly become the leader of the second unit.

Victor Oladipo

Given he’s still recovering from injury, Oladipo is one of the handful of players that will be evaluated as a cut candidate. He could be a helpful piece once he recovers and is on expiring contract that could be valuable at the trade deadline, but the roster is tight. It wouldn’t be surprising if he did make the team for those reasons, but don’t expect it to happen.

It’s worth noting that Oklahoma City’s trio of two-way players in Lindy Waters, Keyontae Johnson and Olivier Sarr will also be at camp, but don’t count towards the 15-man roster. Furthermore, there will be a few other players that join the team in camp on Exhibit 10 deals in effort to get their G League rights and a closer look at their talent.