Sam Presti shipped Lu Dort, a guy who spent seven seasons with the team, to Atlanta in a three-team trade, and now the biggest question in Oklahoma City is who steps into that starting lineup spot. Dort was on the final year of his contract, and Presti knew there was no way he’d be able to re-sign the defensive stalwart. But here’s the kicker: Presti didn’t make this move without a plan. He’s got a trio of players all itching for that starting gig, and it’s gonna be a showdown.
The Scorers: McCain vs. Mitchell
Jared McCain? The guy Philadelphia let get away. The 76ers sent him to OKC midway through last season, and McCain immediately made them regret it. This guard from Duke quickly became a rotation player for the Thunder, and get this, he absolutely exploded in the Western Conference Finals! He dropped 24 points in Game 3 and 20 points in Game 4. When the Spurs locked down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, McCain became the main man on offense. The case for McCain is clear: he is the most capable, proven scorer of the group, showing he can produce when the pressure is at its peak.
Then you’ve got Ajay Mitchell. Nobody saw this coming when OKC started the 2025-26 season. Sure, everyone knew they were talented, but Mitchell’s emergence was unexpected. This 6-foot-4 guard from UC Santa Barbara averaged 13.6 points per game and grew into a secondary ballhandler alongside SGA. He’s a bit longer than McCain and proved over a full season he fits in the offense. Even when SGA was battling an an abdominal strain in February, Mitchell stepped up and carried the load. Yeah, he had some injuries, including one that kept him out for most of the postseason, but his talent is undeniable. He’s got every argument McCain does for that starting guard spot.
The Defensive Whiz: Cason Wallace
But wait, there’s a third option, and he’s a serious contender: Cason Wallace. If the Thunder want a younger, quicker version of Lu Dort, Wallace is their guy. Entering his fourth season with OKC, he’s been crucial to their success. He’s averaging nearly two steals a game and shooting 35% from three-point territory. This dude can guard the best players on the opposing team, spread defenses thin, and plays exactly the way coach Mark Daigneault wants. Wallace has been so effective coming off the bench that the Thunder might just keep him there. But with stars like SGA, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams already starting, do they even *need* another scorer like McCain or Mitchell? Wallace would perfectly complement those ball-dominant players as a steady, on-ball pest.
There are solid arguments for all three of these guys, and honestly, it is a great problem to have. Oklahoma City partly traded Dort specifically to give all this raw talent more opportunity to shine. In the end, though, only one of them gets to be a starter on one of the best teams in basketball. This isn’t just about filling a spot, it’s about shaping the identity of an already killer squad. Who’s gonna step up and grab it? That’s what we’ll be watching for next.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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