We're halfway through September. That means the 2026-27 regular season is right around the corner. Soon, the NBA will return to being at the forefront of the sports zeitgeist with summer behind us. The nine-month marathon will see if the Oklahoma City Thunder can bring home a second NBA championship.
After a summer filled with cost-cutting moves, the Thunder remain one of the title favorites. I guess that's what happens when you have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams as your franchise pillars. Recent success backs it up, too.
To prepare for the 2026-27 season, Thunder Wire rolled out the projected depth chart for each position. Let's look at power forward:
Starter: Chet Holmgren
Even with his NBA playoff shortcomings, Holmgren remains one of the
NBA's best players. He enjoyed a breakout year as a first-time All-Star and All-NBA member. He finished as the Defensive Player of the Year runner-up. Since he joined OKC, he's been one of the most impactful players on both sides of the floor. That should remain the case. Even with his San Antonio baggage. The advanced metrics absolutely love him. He's one of the most efficient scorers and one of the top rim protectors. Through three seasons, he's turned into everything you could've hoped for when the Thunder added him with the 2022 NBA draft No. 2 pick.
Depth: Kenrich Williams
Only Williams is behind him. He's now the second-longest-tenured player on the Thunder — only trailing Gilgeous-Alexander. The 31-year-old has seen his playing time dwindle over the years. But that's more from OKC's ridiculous depth. Now, there's a chance for him to get back in the rotation after all of the roster changes. He's always been a reliable third-string player. He can score the ball and defend. He's also comfortable in his role as a locker room veteran.
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: OKC Thunder power forward preview: Chet Holmgren, bench unit
