Oklahoma City Thunder season preview: Opening schedule, win projection and everything to know for 2026-27

The 2026-27 NBA season is here! Check out our team previews, including power rankings, best- and worst-case scenarios, and fantasy advice.

East:Atlanta Hawks • Boston Celtics • Brooklyn Nets • Charlotte Hornets • Chicago Bulls • Cleveland Cavaliers • Detroit Pistons • Indiana Pacers • Miami Heat • Milwaukee Bucks • New York Knicks • Orlando Magic • Philadelphia 76ers • Toronto Raptors • Washington Wizards

West:Dallas Mavericks • Denver Nuggets • Golden State Warriors • Houston Rockets • LA Clippers • Los Angeles Lakers • Memphis Grizzlies • Minnesota Timberwolves • New Orleans Pelicans • Oklahoma City Thunder • Phoenix Suns • Portland Trail Blazers • Sacramento Kings • San Antonio Spurs • Utah Jazz

Record: 64-18 (1st in the West, lost 4-3 in West finals to Spurs)

Draft: Aday Mara (No. 12), Bennett Stirtz (No. 16), Otega Oweh (No. 41)

Signings:Isaiah Hartenstein (re-signed for 3 years, $75.5 million)

Key departures: Isaiah Joe (traded to Pistons), Aaron Wiggins (traded to Hawks), Branden Carlson (signed with Trail Blazers), Lu Dort (traded to Hawks)

Current roster

What's exciting: The Thunder lost in the West finals in part because they were worn down. Jalen Williams couldn't stay healthy and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's efficiency fell off a cliff. What could the solution be? I suspect the Thunder might want to spread the ball around more often moving forward, which would alleviate the load off SGA. JDub, Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, Cason Wallace, and even the rookie Stirtz can all handle the ball a bit. So can all their bigs. Shai is a two-time MVP, but maybe the next step is to share the rock more often. I could be dead wrong here, but seeing how they reload, however they do it, intrigues me most.

What's concerning: There isn't much! The Thunder are absolutely loaded. They proved last year they can withstand injuries across the roster and still rack up wins. There's no reason to believe this year will be any different. That said, part of the charm with OKC is its chemistry. The way the players all huddle after games, how they interact with Thunder sideline reporter Nick Gallo, and their goofiness online. They are a young group. But I wonder, as they mature, and as contracts become a priority for some players (such as Wallace), how will vibes change? And if they do, how does that impact the product? But on the floor, OKC has all the pieces to win the title again. — Kevin O'Connor 

Preseason Power Rankings: How all 30 teams stack up ahead of 2026-27

Aday Mara — I have no idea what's happening, but he hasn't missed a shot and looks great. Could he force a timeshare with Isaiah Hartenstein? Also need to watch Cason Wallace versus Ajay Mitchell for the other starting spot, though Sam Presti effectively confirmed Wallace starts. I still like both as draftable guys in 9-cat. — Dan Titus

Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Basketball league for the 2026-27 NBA season

Opening week: 10/20 at Spurs, 10/22 vs. Nuggets

Complete schedule

61.5 — win total

-600 to win division

+260 to win NBA Finals

Best case: No. 1 seed

They have the best guard, if not player, in the NBA. They have an elite defense. They have a top-three-at-worst coach in the NBA in Mark Daigneault. If they were the 1-seed while suffering through one of the most injury-riddled campaigns in the league last year, a healthier version should absolutely flirt with 70 wins again.

Worst case: No. 3 seed

An injury to SGA could certainly hurt their ceiling, but the Thunder went 8-6 without SGA last year while dealing with a host of other injuries in the process. It's hard to overstate how strong this team is, foundationally. That defense travels; most importantly, it turns you over — which should lessen the strain on their half-court offense.

Read the full Northwest Division preview