Choosing Who Finishes Close Bouts Will Be Far More Important Than Choosing The Next Starter For The Thunder

While a starting spot is up for grabs, it's who finishes the game that matters more.

May 18, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) drives the ball in the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs during game one of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Oklahoma City isn’t necessarily worried about who will start the game, but rather who will finish it. 

This offseason has been a hectic one for the Oklahoma City Thunder, as they said farewell to three key players, trading them to free up salary room for the future. While this was the right move for OKC, many have wondered what exactly they will do with the starting spot that was left open with the departure of Lu Dort. 

Some have speculated that Cason Wallace is the perfect replacement, while others think that the sharpshooter Jared McCain would be a solid addition to the starting squad to round out the group. While this might be a very important issue the Thunder have to solve, in the end it is far more important who ends the game rather than who starts it. 

Of course, this doesn’t make the decision any easier when looking at it from the outside, but the good thing is the Thunder don’t have to decide right now who is ending the games. Oklahoma City has the blessing of having such a deep bench that it really shouldn’t mind who is out there on the floor, as long as they are having a good game. 

Of course, you can be sure to expect Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren on the floor when the game is on the line, but the other players to round out the lineup might be who is lighting up the floor that night. 

It could, of course, still be either Wallace or McCain, as Wallace is the best defensive guard the squad has, while McCain is destined to be the next great OKC shooter. However, it is more likely that Ajay Mitchell sees the final buzzer rather than the other two. 

Mitchell is an upcoming star who was the second-leading scorer for the Thunder’s postseason run and who is expected to make another big leap this upcoming season. If Mitchell does progress as expected, there is no reason OKC shouldn’t trust him to finish the game, as long as he is playing up to his potential. 

Multiple players on Oklahoma City’s roster have the potential to take over a game. So while a certain player might not get the nod to start on a certain night, it isn’t important who starts the game, but who finishes close games that the Thunder are battling to win.