Oklahoma City Thunder’s New Starting Lineup Brings Balance, Youth, and Defense as They Aim to Compete at a Higher Level

The Oklahoma City Thunder enter the 2025–26 NBA season with renewed purpose and a projected starting lineup that represents one of the most balanced and intriguing young cores in the league. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and newly acquired Isaiah Hartenstein penciled in as the likely starters, the Thunder are no longer just a rebuilding team full of potential—they are rapidly evolving into a serious playoff contender in the Western Conference.

Leading the charge is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has emerged as one of the premier guards in the NBA. Last season, he was once again an All-NBA selection, averaging over 30 points per game while improving both his efficiency and his leadership. Gilgeous-Alexander, often referred to simply as SGA, has made it clear that he’s not just content with individual accolades—he wants to win. His game has matured considerably, and his ability to control pace, create space, and finish through contact makes him a nightmare matchup for any defense. Defensively, SGA has also made strides, embracing his responsibilities as the team’s top two-way guard and often taking on the toughest perimeter assignment.

Alongside him in the backcourt is Luguentz Dort, the defensive anchor of this starting five. Dort has built a reputation as one of the most tenacious on-ball defenders in the league. While his offensive production has plateaued slightly in recent years, he remains a capable shooter from beyond the arc and a physical presence when slashing to the basket. More importantly, Dort’s value lies in the energy he brings and the tone he sets defensively. He gives the Thunder the luxury of having a guard who can guard up positions one through three and occasionally even fours depending on the matchup. His strength and defensive instincts are elite, and on a team stacked with scoring talent, he doesn’t need to be a primary option on offense—his value is maximized in the dirty work.

Jalen Williams, now entering his third season, is perhaps the most versatile piece in this starting five. A combo forward who can initiate offense, guard multiple positions, and hit shots from the outside, Williams is the kind of player every modern NBA team covets. His ability to play off the ball as well as create for himself and others gives the Thunder immense flexibility. Williams showed flashes of being a secondary creator last year, but his greatest value might lie in his ability to make plays in transition and his high basketball IQ. His two-way presence makes him a bridge between the guard-heavy backcourt and the length-heavy frontcourt. He’s expected to take another leap this season, potentially pushing his scoring average into the high teens while continuing to provide excellent defense and versatility.

The arrival of Chet Holmgren to the lineup last season after missing his rookie year showed just how impactful his presence could be. At 7’1” with a unique blend of length, agility, and shooting touch, Holmgren fits seamlessly into the Thunder’s vision of positionless basketball. Though technically listed at power forward in this projected lineup, Holmgren will often operate as a rim protector and floor spacer, providing a rare combination of shot-blocking and three-point shooting. His timing on defense is superb, and he’s already shown the ability to switch onto smaller players without giving up much ground. Offensively, Holmgren can shoot from deep, finish at the rim, and even put the ball on the floor in spurts. He may still need to add muscle to deal with the league’s more physical bigs, but his skill set already makes him a matchup problem.

The biggest change in the Thunder’s projected starting lineup is the addition of Isaiah Hartenstein, who signed with Oklahoma City in free agency. Hartenstein brings a different dynamic to the center position—one the Thunder lacked in recent years. A strong, physical presence who excels at screen setting, rebounding, and rim protection, Hartenstein is a traditional big man who also has soft touch around the rim and underrated passing skills. His ability to operate as a hub in the high post adds another wrinkle to Oklahoma City’s offense, and his toughness will be invaluable in playoff scenarios. While Holmgren is more finesse and spacing, Hartenstein brings muscle and grit, giving the Thunder one of the most balanced frontcourt tandems in the league.

Together, this starting five presents a rare combination of youth, athleticism, skill, and defensive upside. Gilgeous-Alexander is the clear leader and primary scorer, with the ability to take over games late. Dort brings the perimeter defense and physical edge, often tasked with guarding the opponent’s best scorer. Williams functions as a do-it-all wing who can plug gaps on both ends. Holmgren is the unicorn-type big who stretches the floor and blocks shots. And Hartenstein adds the physical presence, rebounding, and toughness that every team needs deep in the paint.

The fit among these five players also looks promising on paper. SGA and Williams can both initiate offense, allowing the team to mix up their attack and reduce predictability. Dort and Hartenstein are both low-usage players on offense but high-impact on defense. Holmgren offers flexibility to switch between roles depending on the matchup, and his floor spacing ensures that SGA has lanes to drive and create. There’s no ball-dominant forward in this group demanding isolation touches; instead, the lineup encourages ball movement, off-ball cutting, and team defense.

The coaching staff, led by Mark Daigneault, has done an exceptional job over the past few seasons in developing talent and instilling a culture of accountability and effort. Daigneault’s schemes rely on movement, versatility, and unselfishness—all traits this starting five embodies. With the added experience and the new presence of Hartenstein, there’s now greater margin for error when the playoffs arrive, where matchups become more physical and execution is paramount.

The bench unit remains strong as well, with players like Josh Giddey (if he remains with the team), Cason Wallace, Kenrich Williams, and Ousmane Dieng providing depth and matchup flexibility. Giddey, in particular, could be used in staggered lineups or even as a small-ball forward depending on how the rotation shapes up. His passing and vision remain elite, and he may thrive even more in a bench role where he can control possessions more freely. Wallace adds defensive grit and an improving jumper, while Kenrich Williams brings veteran toughness and the ability to defend multiple spots. This rotation gives the Thunder plenty of tools to navigate the 82-game season and potentially a deep playoff run.

While there are still questions to be answered—such as how Holmgren holds up physically through a full season, how the rotation adapts to new roles, and whether this group can defend at an elite level consistently—the foundation is clearly in place. There’s a belief around the league that the Thunder are ahead of schedule in their rebuild, and this projected starting five is a major reason why. Each player brings a specific strength that complements the others, and with continuity and improved chemistry, the Thunder may become a true force in the West sooner than expected.

Expectations will be higher this year, but this team has the tools to meet them. They have one of the league’s brightest stars in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a top-tier supporting cast that blends defense and shooting, and a front office that has built patiently, valuing culture and character as much as talent. With a balanced starting five and a clear direction, the Oklahoma City Thunder are no longer rebuilding—they’re rising, and the league is beginning to take notice.