For a team that prides itself on continuity, this has been an offseason of drastic change for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Although they were able to retain Isaiah Hartenstein, looming luxury tax restrictions have already forced them to move on from both Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins via trades to the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks, respectively. While Luguentz Dort's future remains in doubt, it seems likely Oklahoma City will move off of him as well after picking up his team option for 2025-26.
Next season, there will be new opportunities and new look across the roster for the remaining players, especially Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell. Those storylines will take up much of the spotlight this offseason.
But the Thunder's two-way roster spots have gotten a makeover as well with the team's selection of Otega Oweh and their signing of Josh Dix. Both of those players have a real chance to develop into viable NBA wings eventually, and they should get as much opportunity as the regular season allows.
But Brooks Barnhizer, who spent last season with Oklahoma City on a two-way deal, will now need to re-assert himself over these new additions. In his first Summer League appearance, his performance went a long way toward accomplishing that goal.
Brooks Barnhizer may not have the highest upside, but he's the most polished of the Thunder's two-way players
Although Oklahoma City's Summer League squad did not look cohesive in the slightest in their 74-111 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, there were some exciting flashes from the young players. Bennett Stirtz looked confident with the ball in his hands at the top of the key, and he even threw a thunderous lob to fellow first-round selection Aday Mara. Otega Oweh was active— perhaps overly active— on defense, and the Thunder also got exciting performances out of Christoph Tilly and Payton Sandfort.
But Barnhizer was far and away the most comfortable and confident player on the court from the opening tip. In just 20 minutes of action, Barnhizer posted 13 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field, tacking on six rebounds and one assist.
Barnhizer's calling card has always been his defense, and that's what he provided Oklahoma City with when he saw minutes during his rookie campaign. Across 40 games in 2025-26, he averaged just 1.7 points and shot 38% from the field on a diet of just 8.7 minutes.
Barnhizer already has a season under his belt with the NBA squad, and it's natural for him to look more prepared and more comfortable than the rookies, especially in their first Summer League appearance. But as the Thunder continue to strip down their roster and add young talent, they'll need contributors like Barnhizer over the course of the regular season to provide viable minutes.
It's easy to get caught up in the excitement that Oweh and even Dix provide on two-way deals. But Barnhizer, despite a lackluster rookie season, still should have the first shot at real run in the regular-season rotation.
He started to prove that on Saturday night with an impressive outing, and he should have the rest of his Summer League appearances to cement that impression.
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