If the Oklahoma City Thunder are going to salvage the 2026-27 season, it's going to have to happen internally. Entering the year with NBA championship aspirations, three season-altering injuries have completely shaken things up in terms of what this glued-together group can accomplish.
The Thunder will be without Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace for the foreseeable future — with a coin-flip chance the latter two are done for the year. Holmgren is dealing with a small torn patellar tendon. He's expected to return around New Year's. Williams had surgery to repair a fractured fibula; Wallace had surgery for a torn labrum. Both will be re-evaluated before the 2026-27 regular season ends.
Considering those apocalyptic circumstances,
the Thunder are still navigating their Post-D.C.C. (Dub, Chet, Caso) NBA reality. Even once Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and friends settle down, this team has reasonably been demoted from a title favorite to just another postseason squad.
Could the Thunder get even splashier outside help to still chase a Larry O'Brien trophy? Don't bank on it. ESPN's Tim MacMahon recently opined that he thinks the Thunder will likely stay put. Both to sustain a long-term competitive window and because they kinda financially can't make a splashy mid-season acquisition. Even if they wanted to.
"Oklahoma City will explore the market for opportunities to upgrade over the next few months, but a big splash would be a big surprise," MacMahon wrote on ESPN. "It's not (Sam) Presti's style, as the Thunder haven't made a major midseason trade since getting Kendrick Perkins in 2011. Yes, Presti has plenty of picks that could be used to put together a blockbuster deal. But he also has to prioritize future finances with the goal of keeping a contender-quality supporting cast around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander throughout his prime."
The Thunder have very little wiggle room to work with. The one move they had left in the chambers already happened this past Sunday. They acquired Nique Clifford from the Sacramento Kings for two future second-round picks. The 24-year-old has taken up OKC's final standard roster spot. Now, it only has $3.7 million to spend before hitting the dreaded second apron.
Unfortunately for those hoping the Thunder can go all out for this season, they'll likely stand pat. They hope that Holmgren's return around New Year's can provide a boost. The All-NBA talent should shore up a lot of their current shortcomings on both ends of the floor. And who knows — maybe one/both of Williams and Wallace can make a miraculous return by the 2027 NBA playoffs?
That's the hope anyway. Even if it's a bit naive and downplays the severity of their respective injuries. The Thunder have a couple of months to figure out what type of team they are. The 2027 NBA trade deadline represents a last-gasp easy-fix solution for contenders.
But there's a real possibility that by the time Thursday, Feb. 11, arrives, OKC fans will universally agree that it's just not their year in the health department and not to fall for a sunk cost fallacy.
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: ESPN: Why OKC Thunder will likely have quiet 2027 NBA trade deadline
