The Oklahoma City Thunder were never supposed to be this good, at least not this quickly. After winning their first championship last year, the Thunder are now on track for an awe-inspiring season, sitting at 22-1. Most of the season’s wins have come without their second in command, Jalen Williams.
This year, the Thunder turned multiple recurring actors from their bench into seasoned regulars — Ajay Mitchell, Aaron Wiggins, and Jaylin Williams are the main names that come to mind.
This has led the basketball world to ask: How did OKC get all these talented role players on a budget?
An Eye For Talent
Sam Presti is one of the best general managers of all time. Presti and his team have built two NBA finals rosters, one in 2012 and another in 2025. The OKC rebuild began in 2019; a rebuild of this magnitude being pulled off so quickly is almost unheard of.
Player selection is an art, and the Thunder are superb at it. They find underrated players who can fit into their system. For example, their three second-round picks have anchored the bench.
OKC traded for Mitchell on draft night in a deal with the Knicks. The Belgian-American played overseas and then at UC Santa Barbara before the draft. In an under-the-radar move, the Thunder found a backup point guard who could start for most teams in the league.
Wiggins was another late pick who turned out to be a key rotational piece. The 26-year-old has fit into any role OKC has needed in the past five seasons without any complaints. Presti got an absolute steal at the 55th spot.
The next season, OKC hit again with Williams at the No. 34 selection. The backup forward has outperformed his draft position.
Mitchell, Wiggins and Williams are the proof that the Thunder are built off the NBA Draft.
Player Development
After drafting a player, an organization must cultivate and nurture their skills to ensure they reach their potential. Every Thunder player has gotten better year after year. Mitchell took a huge leap this season, going from 6.5 points per game to 14.7 and playing 10 more minutes a game.
Williams has steadily improved over the years and is always ready to step up when his number is called. He’s become a better rim protector and anchor on defense.
Wiggins has become a far better shooter and creator over the years. All three of these players’ development has been inspiring to watch.
Cheap Contracts
OKC has also been able to sign players to team-friendly contracts. With these contracts, the team will be able to stay together and build on what they have. They extend players well before they have their big breakout on the court.
For example, in June 2025, they were able to convert Mitchell’s two-way contract into a three-year, $9 million deal, staving off his big contract until a couple of years down the line.
Similarly, Williams received a three-year, $24 million extension, which secures his future with the team. Keeping these players to play alongside their main stars made OKC’s offseason one of the most successful in the league.
OKC’s Future
NBA franchises will study OKC’s moves over the last couple of seasons. In what feels like a very short amount of time, they have forged their future and crafted an exceptionally deep roster. If a player leaves the organization, the team can still function at a high level.
OKC seems head and shoulders above any team they step on the court with. Their depth is one of the biggest reasons, with the whole roster contributing and picking up the slack for one another through injuries and off-nights.
These role players’ ascensions have helped OKC improve into one of the best teams of all time.
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