THE Oklahoma City Thunder Return each player of rotational level of his championship season.
It is a feat that we do not often see in the modern and transactional NBA, but Thunder has succeeded in preserving continuity and chemistry before their defense of the title. Dillon Jones was the only victim of the offseason, having been exchanged to the Washington Wizards in favor of an editor in 2025.
Even more than the simple return of a nucleus already championship, however, Oklahoma City also adds the young goalkeeper Nikola Topic to the fold.
The subject was once considered the best players in the NBA 2024 draft, but suffered a LCA tear in the Euroleague which caused its stock to fall. The thunder always patient was happy to seize him at n ° 12 and spent the last season to let him see a championship team up close.
Now OKC is responsible for assimilating a talented manager and game player in one of the best lists we have seen for some time.
Veteran Alex Caruso – the team’s most senior player – thinks that the subject last season could help him in the long term.
“Yeah, I think the great thing about (the subject) is that it is a kind of disguised blessing,” said Caruso. “You hurt yourself like that at such a young age because you somehow learn the discipline of being a professional through this ordeal. Just to be able to come back from an injury of this nature, it takes a lot of discipline, it takes a lot of concentration.
The recruit of Thunder Nikola subject talks about the summer league and winning an NBA title while being injured. pic.twitter.com/nluy7px6al
– Jacob unruh (@jacobunruh) September 29, 2025
“So, this part, I think, is rooted in him and will be great. I just give him confidence and try to help him learn through fire. This is really what it is.”
One thing is certain: Mark Daignault’s rotations will continue to be deep, and if the subject can find its NBA rhythm early, it will undoubtedly save time in the team’s system. Caruso agreed with this feeling.
“We saw this a little on Ajay (Mitchell) last year when really talented players, you will have a few minutes because the coach – Mark trusts guys. If you are a good player, you will play. You will find time throughout the season.
“And I think that for him, it is simply a question of trying to refine his game and to accelerate this learning curve which has just been a new player in the NBA.”
The Thunder will open its pre-season with a fight against the Charlotte Hornets on October 5. They will then face Kevin during and Houston’s Rockets to start the regular season on October 21.
