⚡The Deals
Thomas Sorber and Brooks Barnhizer have been signed to their rookie deals. As expected.
No extension news for Jalen Williams or Chet Holmgren. There’s some speculation that the restrictive CBA could be pushing the rookie contract market downward, and plenty of curiosity as to whether OKC will negotiate a sub-max deal for Chet and/or JDub this summer or next. On the other hand: SGA did not sign a team-friendly supermax. Paolo Banchero, Chet’s 2022 draft classmate, just signed an obscenely player-friendly max.
No news on restricted free agent Branden Carlson, either. The Thunder’s qualifying offer is still on the table. The NBA’s guide on free agency is helpful if you need a crash course.
Mitchell’s deal is even more team friendly than initially reported.
Nick Crain (Forbes) on the Thunder offseason thus far. Jalen Williams’ wrist injury and recovery could be the biggest on-court development between last season and this year.
As such, Williams will be sidelined for the vast majority of the offseason, if not all of it. He is expected to be ready for the start of the 2025-26 season, but a slow start could be expected. It’s his shooting wrist, so this will be an interesting storyline to follow in the coming months.
Jalen Williams averaged 22/5/5, hit arguably the biggest bucket of the playoffs, scored 40 points in an NBA Finals game (with a torn ligament in his wrist)…
…and did this on defense while guarding 1-5. ⬇️ https://t.co/x3la380RIa
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) July 3, 2025
⚡The Hats
ICYMI: OKC’s Summer League roster (no Sorber, unfortunately).
The Thunder split their first couple summer exhibitions, with the spotlight on Nikola Topic. The 19-year-old has looked fluid and assertive, although how his athleticism and shooting holds up against real competition remain my concern. Ajay Mitchell looking great has been heartening, too, considering the Thunder’s dearth of reliable backup ballhandlers in the postseason.
Nikola Topic’s SL debut vs Memphis.
14 PTS (6-11 FG, 2-4 3P), 4 AST (7 TO) + 2 STL. https://t.co/W1NyiTAqY3 pic.twitter.com/A1KgnM2Ybz
— Mohamed (@mcfNBA) July 6, 2025
Nikola Topić’s swing skill is 3 point shooting.
His feel for the game, driving and playmaking are all NBA ready.
The Thunder rookie spent a year working with Chip Engelland. Smooth catch and shoot 3 to beat the shot clock here.
(@ThunderFilmRoom)pic.twitter.com/W7MierFwiS
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) July 6, 2025
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