OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paused when asked what he learned about himself and his game over the summer.
“I didn’t learn anything I didn’t already know,” he said. “I feel like I got better this summer, for sure.”
That's great news for the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team that won the NBA title in 2025 and lost a Game 7 to the San Antonio Spurs in last season's Western Conference finals. Gilgeous-Alexander — bidding for a third straight
MVP award — and the Thunder are widely expected to be top contenders for a title again this season.
But it is a new-look Thunder in many ways, after the team traded starter Lu Dort and key reserves Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to shed salary.
“Obviously we’re a really close, tight-knit group, and those guys had a big hand in not only our success on the court but the relationships and the brotherhood off the court," Gilgeous-Alexander said. “And that will never change. Those guys will only be one call away from me and vice versa. But with that being said, it’s the business of the NBA, right. I don’t think anybody has played with all 12 guys their whole career. That’s how it goes.”
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.1 points last season and could become the first player in four decades to win three consecutive MVP awards. Larry Bird (1984-1986) was the last player to do it; Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain are the only other members of the three-in-a-row club.
Gilgeous-Alexander said he hasn't given much thought to winning another award.
“The decision for MVP is like literally 82 games away,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I’m not going to win the award in the first week of the season. It hard for me to, like, put so much into it and think about it. I’ve just got to be the best player I can be for this basketball team, win as many games as possible. And whenever those things lie, they will. That kind of recipe for me in the past has kind of worked, and I’ve been fortunate to win two in a row.”
There is an addition of sorts: Jalen Williams, an All-Star two seasons ago, is back after missing more than half of last season with injuries.
“We’ll have an All-NBA talent who puts the ball in the basket and guards 1 through 5. So, that will make life easier not only for myself but for the rest of the group,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “And above all, I’m just excited for Dub to be able to play.”
Forward Chet Holmgren averaged career-highs of 17.1 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, making All-NBA and All-Defensive teams for the first time. Jared McCain, Ajay Mitchell and Cason Wallace are all expected to take on larger roles this season.
“Fundamentally, we are still the Oklahoma City Thunder,” guard Alex Caruso said. “To the root of it, I think we want to try and be the same team, we just have to fit new pieces in and figure out what that looks like. Still have a lot of returning guys. It’s not like we lost our three top scorers or something. ... We want to be the same kind of team and have the same principles and play the same way.”
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