We're finally back. Serving as the pseudo-first day of school, NBA Media Day has arrived for most of the league. Including the Oklahoma City Thunder. They're set to talk for the first time after a lengthy offseason filled with question marks and scrutiny.
Even after their offseason filled with cost-cutting moves, the Thunder enter the 2026-27 season as co-title favorites — alongside the San Antonio Spurs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are one of the best and most decorated trios in the league.
Media Day is always a fun all-day event. Interesting to hear how players' offseason went. As the Thunder enter another title-or-bust year, here are five storylines to follow on Monday:
Wallace's contract comments
This is probably the most prominent storyline
of this year's Media Day. Even though the offseason is over, there is still time to do some homework. Cason Wallace remains unsigned. He's been eligible for a contract extension all summer. The Thunder have until Oct. 19 to figure something out. So far, this looks like an old-school negotiation where both sides are waiting on the other to cave.
We heard what Sam Presti had to say about Wallace. He said moving on from Lu Dort was the biggest sign of respect. The Thunder are presumably rolling out the blue-and-orange carpets for him. Let's see what he has to say about the ongoing situation. If nothing materializes, both sides are paving the way to an awkward fourth year with RFA hanging over their heads.
Gilgeous-Alexander off-ball
In his brief two games with Team Canada this summer, Gilgeous-Alexander notably played off-ball. Still the main ball-handler, possessions sprinkled in where he'd chill in the corner. Opposing defenses had to play with their head on a swivel. You obviously can't leave the two-time MVP open, but we also have to keep an eye on the ball. Let's see if the Thunder can finally implement a similar strategy this upcoming year.
Gilgeous-Alexander playing more off-ball has been a running bit in OKC for years. Every time, it devolves into him being a 30-point scorer who bails out their halfcourt offense. But considering the roster construction, perhaps this is the year that can add more variety to their menu. They have plenty of go-to scorers now. Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain should make that possible.
Holmgren's redemption arc
It's been a brutal summer for Holmgren. In just one calendar year, he went from a gutsy NBA champion to a social media meme. I guess that's what happens when you're a no-show in Game 7. The 2026 Western Conference Finals series will stick with him throughout the year. Public opinion won't change until the inevitable postseason rematch with OKC and San Antonio.
Until then, how will Holmgren deal with the ridicule? We know he's an All-NBA talent and a DPOY runner-up. But his shrinkage against Victor Wembanyama was displayed on a national stage in the past NBA playoffs. To most folks' minds, his only pathway to goodwill is redemption. Specifically, against the one team that has turned into OKC's boogeyman.
Thoughts on departures
For the first time with this group, the Thunder had a humble reminder that the NBA is a business first. To avoid going into the second apron and other financial penalties, they had to say goodbye to three longtime role players. Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins were all traded out East. The three had been staples of OKC's rotation for several years. They saw them go from a rebuild to an NBA champion.
Now, they're elsewhere. Going to be interesting to see how their former Thunder teammates feel about their departures. You can't keep the same group of guys forever. Change was inevitable. But that doesn't discount the relationship side of this dynamic. It'll also be interesting to see if this summer hardened a lot of the roster. It's easy to let cynicism grow from that viewpoint.
Williams' health
After giving it an honest go in Game 6, Williams' body fully betrayed him in the Western Conference Finals. The Thunder badly needed the All-NBA talent for one opponent in the Spurs. By the time their epic seven-game series ended, he was in street clothes. Four hamstring strains in five months absolutely derailed any shot of redemption. He exchanged a championship ring for an injury-plagued title defense.
Now, let's see if Williams can get back to form. Or was last season the start of a disturbing trend? Only time will tell. But Presti sounded pretty confident that they finally found some answers to his nagging soft-tissue injuries. Goes without saying, but the Thunder need him healthy to win a second NBA championship in three years. Let's hope last year was just a one-time thing. And that he can return to his trajectory of being Gen Z Scottie Pippen.
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: 2026-27 OKC Thunder Media Day: 5 NBA storylines to watch out for
