Oklahoma City opens a road trip at Dallas on Wednesday at 4-0, with Cason Wallace and Jalen Williams both projected out until March 2. The club's own history, from the 2012 Harden trade to a 2025 title built through the draft, explains why the depth behind them exists.
A Rivalry Measured in Seasons
Dallas is the fiercest recent rival. The Mavericks eliminated the Thunder in 2024 before Oklahoma City climbed past them to the 2025 championship, a seven-game Finals win over Indiana. The history runs further back: the 2011-12 team beat Dallas on the way to its first Finals since 1996. Dusty May's Mavericks are 2-2, with Cooper Flagg averaging 25.0 points over three games, while Dereck Lively II and Santi Aldama are both out. The Thunder have allowed 102.0 points per 100 possessions against a Dallas offense at 111.7, and that gap is the matchup to watch.
What the Harden Deal Taught
In October 2012, with an extension unresolved, Oklahoma City sent James Harden, Cole Aldrich, Daequan Cook and Lazar Hayward to Houston for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb and first-round picks from Toronto and Dallas. The lesson the front office kept was that assets outlast names. Today the Thunder own their 2029 and 2030 firsts and seconds, with swap rights in 2027 and 2028, and a roster averaging 24.4 years old. Payroll is $214.8M against a $200.4M tax line, so the next answer has to come from within. The team plays at Houston on October 31, where the 2012 trade went.
This Date, and This Bench
On this date in 2024 the Thunder beat Atlanta 128-104, and in 2019 they beat Golden State 120-92. In 1967, in the franchise's first season in Seattle, the SuperSonics lost 115-132 at Philadelphia. The Oklahoma City version started at 23-59 and became champions through patience. The current group is testing that patience early. Ajay Mitchell scored 30 against Phoenix, Aday Mara added 11 points and 10 rebounds, and rookies Bennett Stirtz and Josh Dix were on the floor late. Mitchell has an ankle listing with a projected return of October 28, the day of the Dallas game. Caruso and Holmgren are both projected back October 31.
When will Jalen Williams return for the Thunder?
He is listed out with a left leg injury and a projected return of March 2, 2027. Cason Wallace has the same projected date for his left shoulder.
Does Oklahoma City own its future first-round picks?
The Thunder own their first- and second-round picks in 2029 and 2030. In 2027 and 2028 they hold swap rights.
