Five Biggest Needle-Moving Players Who Could Topple the Thunder
by Sam Cox
The Oklahoma City Thunder rightly enters the new NBA season as overwhelming favorites. OKC is healthy, the rotation is unchanged, and none of its players are anywhere near the stage where they could be declining.
This year, and possibly next, might be the high point for the Thunder’s powers in this second-apron era. The salary crunch is yet to really hit, and Sam Presti hasn’t had to move on from any core pieces.
Ferocious on defense and led by the MVP on offense, there aren’t many flaws to expose. Still, this season is far from a foregone conclusion. Not yet do the Thunder deserve the 16/17 Warriors treatment.
Here are five potential needle movers for teams looking to topple OKC:
Christian Braun
Christian Braun already had his breakout year. He more than doubled his points per game and became a much more efficient scorer in 2024/25. Arguably already operating at his ceiling, this isn’t about Braun erupting into a co-star for Nikola Jokić.
Rather, his inclusion is about the role he already fulfils and can fulfil on the Nuggets. Bruce Brown’s arrival gives Denver the opportunity to put Braun, Brown, and Aaron Gordon at the two, three, and four. It’s the most formidable wing defensive group of the Jokić era.
Braun has come on leaps and bounds as a shot creator and took far more assisted two-point shots last season, illustrating the effective of his cutting. Another year of NBA experience could make Braun one of the NBA’s most important players with the Nuggets and Thunder on course for a playoff showdown.
Franz Wagner
It’s not quite in Markelle Fultz territory, but the disappearance of Franz Wagner’s jumpshot threatens to put a hard ceiling on the Magic. Wagner shot under 30% from three in each of the last two seasons.
There were some positive signs in EuroBasket. Wagner looked a bit more comfortable from beyond the arc.
The German averaged 24 points per game last season. He’s a very good defender with size on the wing and can create for others. Orlando only becomes a real contender if Wagner and/or Paolo Banchero become trustworthy outside shooters, though, which would give them top-10 offensive upside with the arrival of Desmond Bane.
Jalen Johnson
Just how good can Jalen Johnson be in 2025/26? The Hawks are a fashionable dark horse pick after an active offseason. Johnson, who missed the second half of last season with a torn labrum, is a candidate to take the leap from exciting talent to All-Star.
It’s a longshot for the Hawks to get the better of the Thunder in the Finals, but Atlanta has Conference-winning upside if Johnson continues to progress as he has over the last couple of years.
Like Wagner, he’s a big wing with good vision, and a consistent rebounder. There’s a world, and not a particularly far-fetched one, where Johnson is the best player on the Hawks this season and earns an All-NBA berth.
Lonzo Ball
Lonzo Ball has played under 40 NBA games since January 2021. It’s still an intriguing acquisition from the Cavaliers, who saw Ty Jerome disappoint in the playoffs, and begin the year without Darius Garland.
Ball isn’t going to be dissecting defenses in the postseason. His role, though, is sneakily important to this Cleveland team, particularly with their so-so options on the wing. Even after his injuries, Ball is a good on-ball defender and has the size to guard one through three.
Kenny Atkinson can run three-guard lineups with Ball, Garland, and Donovan Mitchell. He can have Ball at the one to eat some regular-season innings. If Cleveland makes the Finals, Ball will inevitably get reps guarding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Deandre Ayton
The formula for the Lakers to be a contender is a top five offense and a passable defense. Deandre Ayton isn’t known for his commitment on the defensive end, nor his leadership as a defensive anchor.
Still, Ayton was the starting center for a Suns team that made the Finals and ranked ninth in defense in 2020/21. He’s athletic enough to protect the rim and be competitive when switched onto wings.
On the defensive end, centers feast with Luka Dončić as a pick-and-roll partner. Add in LeBron James’ interior passing, and Ayton can cruise to 14+ points per game.
