OKC Thunder Will Utilize Deep Center Rotation This Season

The OKC Thunder potentially have the deepest center rotation in franchise history this season.

Mar 17, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) and center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) react after a basket against the Orlando Magic in the second quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Oklahoma City Thunder have prioritized stacking up on forwards and centers in the previous two NBA Drafts, selecting former Georgetown big Thomas Sorber with their first pick in 2025 and Michigan big Aday Mara with their first selection in 2026. Now, due to Sorber's summer 2025 injury, both players are set to make their debuts in the 2026-27 season.

The addition of two highly talented young prospects at the position to an already strong group creates high potential for this year's center rotation to be the best in Oklahoma City history. With a high level of switchability in the players from both the power forward and true center positions, it's likely all five will be in the Thunder's regular season rotation.

OKC already had an elite group of bigs last season, headlined by Chet Holmgren. Holmgren's third season active in the league was his best, making his first All-Star appearance and first All-NBA and All-Defensive team selections; despite a sour end in the Western Conference Finals, 2025-26 was a year of growth and success for the young star, with a lesson-filled, growing experience at the end.

Outside of OKC's All-Star, Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams are each invaluable in their own right. Starting with Hartenstein, the German has been highly impactful since arriving in free agency from the Knicks, playing his role in OKC as a key piece in the franchise's first NBA title.

Williams has been the team's go-to in minutes when Hartenstein or Holmgren are off the floor, using his strong 3-point shot and willingness to get dirty and hustle to make impactful plays for the Thunder. Despite being undersized as a five, his ability to draw charges makes up for the length given up when rim protecting.

The key aspect that made this trio work was them all being able to play alongside each other in pairs. Hartenstein and Holmgren were mainstays in the team's fully healthy starting lineup in their double-big system, and Williams played occasionally with Hartenstein but was strongest alongside Holmgren in the second-unit minutes, boasting a +16.6 net rating in their 302 minutes.

With the Thunder showing a willingness to consistently play multiple bigs on the court at once, more opportunities are available for the Thunder's rookies at the center position. With Sorber being able to size down to forward as well, Oklahoma City will be able to use its incredibly deep big man rotation in multiple ways throughout this coming season.