This OKC Thunder team is quickly proving itself to be the antithesis of long-standing NBA norms.
Whether it's them becoming the second-youngest team to ever win a championship or, most recently, just the third team to win 64 games in back-to-back seasons, it's quite clear that this ball club has largely separated itself from the vast majority of its peers and predecessors as far as accomplishments are concerned.
With this in mind, it should come as no surprise to find that they are also actively proving to be the exception to Dwight Howard's recent take on the NBA G League.
During Monday's edition of Above the Rim with DH 12, the Hall of Fame big man revealed that he views the development teams as something of a "false promise" for aspiring ballers, saying "they're trying so hard to make it to the NBA but [there are] already roster spots filled, there's already contracts filled so, it's like, why are they really doing this?"
In many ways, Howard's remarks hold some serious merit. From modern standouts like Mac MccLung to legendary G League lifers such as Andre Ingram, no matter how well one plays, the vast majority of development league participants never seem to make it out and advance to permanent varsity league status.
Of course, there are a select few success stories who are active in the association, and the Thunder currently roster a handful of them.
Thunder have benefited greatly from G League system
Yes, the Thunder are spearheaded by a trio of young lottery selection-turned-All-Stars in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren, but much of their title-winning supporting cast has been built around talents who rose through the ranks from development to the big leagues.
We're talking key role players, here.
Lu Dort and Alex Caruso, two established All-Defensive players, both started out their professional careers with the OKC Blue in 2019 and 2016, respectively. Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder's beloved starting center, began his NBA journey by playing 38 games for the Rockets' G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, back in 2017.
Heck, even all three of Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, and Kenrich Williams have found themselves spending their fair share of time down in the J.V. league throughout their respective careers.
Now, here in 2025-26, the Thunder are essentially using the Blue as if it were an MLB farm system, as they've essentially been hoarding several promising young prospects like Branden Carlson, Brooks Barnhizer, and Nikola Topic down there in an effort to allow them to receive meaningful in-game, on-court reps.
So while Howard may, in fact, have a case with his latest "hot take," there are certainly exceptions to his claims.
The Thunder just so happen to have many of them on one roster.
Add us as a preferred source on Google