3 X-factors emerging for Thunder during preseason

The Oklahoma City Thunder figure to be one of the best teams in the Western Conference in 2024-25. Sam Presti nailed the offseason by trading for Alex Caruso, signing Isaiah Hartenstein, locking up Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe long-term, and by snatching up some high-potential role players for the future during June's NBA Draft.

NBA media is finally raving about this club's upside, and rightfully so.

The Thunder will deploy possibly the deepest rotation in the association this coming campaign, though, despite their enviable talent arsenal, there still appears to be one serious flaw with this squad.

Last season, it became apparent in the playoffs that the only on-ball playmakers were Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.

Offensively, Chet Holmgren struggled and Williams's success diminished as the playoffs dragged on. There is a need for creation on this team, and there are a few players who could help add that much-needed offensive edge that the Thunder could have seriously benefited from last postseason.

Potential Thunder X-factors who are shining bright in preseason

Isaiah Hartenstein

Hartenstein was signed to the richest free agent contract in Thunder history, scoring a three-year $87 million deal this offseason, dethroning Patrick Patterson's three-year, $16 million deal in 2017.

The $71 million difference shows how desired Hartenstein was by Oklahoma City's front office. At this point, it's still unclear whether the newly acquired pivot will be the Thunder's fifth starter or their primary big man off the bench, but, nevertheless, he is going to have a massive impact on this squad.

The former Knick has already become a fan favorite for the OKC faithful.

In his first preseason game, Hartenstein posted 4 points, 8 rebounds (3 offensive), and 7 assists while being a +20 in the dominating win over the Spurs. His rebounding was expected as he averaged 8 boards per game last season, but dishing out as many dimes as he did against the Spurs was eye-opening.

The compelling aspect of his assists was how they were created.

Coach Mark Daigneault used his new big man as an offensive hub, initiating dribble handoff opportunities. He was able to create separation for the ball handler by screening after the handoff, allowing the scorer to either pull up and shoot or drive to the hole.

There was one instance where Chet Holmgren sprinted off a double-down screen receiving the handoff, curling right off Hartenstein for a driving dunk. This play teased the potential of the double-big lineup.

Hartenstein also showed his advanced passing ability when hitting Alex Caruso on a back cut in the Thunder's second preseason game against the Rockets.

There will certainly be games where the Thunder will need playmaking off the bench and Hartenstein fits the bill as he can create for others with his passing, or his ability to draw in the defense by rolling hard after setting a screen.

The 7-footer also has displayed his unique floating-push shot and a fluid shooting motion early on into his tenure out in Loud City.

Hartenstein was brought in to make a difference, and his rebounding solves the biggest hole OKC had last season. That said, it's his offensive abilities that could prove to be the most exciting part of his game.

Cason Wallace

Cason Wallace had a very solid rookie season in 2023-24, scoring 7 points per game while shooting about 42 percent from deep. It is not common for rookies to play meaningful playoff minutes for a number one seed but Wallace did just that.

He disrupted CJ McCollum in round one and did about as good of a job as one can guarding Kyrie Irving in round two. Overall, it was a promising year for the rookie out of Kentucky.

With Josh Giddey departing via trade this summer, there is a void for a third on-ball creator for OKC.

Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Holmgren will be benefactors of some of these opportunities, but the Thunder will need another player who can create offense off the bench. Despite their guard depth, they do not have a true point guard.

Cason Wallace could help fill that hole.

Wallace played much more as a two-guard last season in an off-ball role. This preseason, however, he has shown flashes of becoming an on-ball scorer and playmaker. Against the Spurs and Rockets, the 20-year-old has been able to make regular dribble moves and sneak past his defenders for some easy layups.

As a passer, he threw a beautiful lob to Hartenstein out of a pick-and-roll in their bout against Houston. Coincidentally, Thunder players have weirdly struggled with throwing lobs in the past.

Wallace did have a 0-4 night from distance in the team's second preseason game but the aggressive nature of his shot selection and playmaking off of screens could propel this second unit.

The Thunder defense could also thrive in a lineup featuring Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso, and Lu Dort, forming maybe the best defensive trio out on the perimeter in the league.

Dillon Jones

Sam Presti snatched up yet another on-ball creator when he traded five second-round picks on draft night to acquire Dillon Jones from Weber State with the 26th pick of the 2024 NBA Draft.

Jones had a ridiculous stat line during his final season at the collegiate level, averaging over 20.8 points, 9.8 boards, and 5.2 assists per game. Could he earn rotation minutes this upcoming season?

The rookie had Thunder fans thinking he was Jalen Williams 2.0 after shooting 8-for-11 and dropping 17 points in their preseason win against the Spurs.

Jones wreaked havoc in the mid-range sizing up his defenders then quickly shooting his fall-away jumpers play after play. The forward was quickly humbled after he shot 3-for-9 in his second game against the Rockets.

Interestingly, Coach Daigneault used Jones in the same way as he deployed Hartenstein, as he was the big man running dribble-handoffs out of different actions. He accounted for 3 assists to go along with his big scoring night.

Additionally, Jones has hit a few threes thus far into the preseason and the shot looked good!

As mentioned earlier, the Thunder lacked playmaking outside of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams last season. Dillion Jones is a hooper. He has the potential to become a scoring threat at all three levels and can distribute rather efficiently, especially for someone of his size.

Jones was projected low in the draft due to his clunky frame. He stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs in at 235 pounds, which is a rare build for an NBA player. While he may not be very tall, he does have a 6-foot-11 wingspan, meaning he could project more as a four rather than a guard.

There does happen to be an on-ball distributor who is very similar in size to Dillion Jones which happens to be Draymond Green. The rook most likely is not going to be the defensive force that Green has built his reputation on but there are some similarities in the way Daigneault utilizes him on offense against the Spurs. He also brings some isolation scoring, which the Thunder could need down the road.

It is likely Dillon Jones will not be featured in the rotation much this season, though he could be a very valuable weapon if something catastrophic happens and one of OKC's top players misses an extended period of time.

It is also unlikely Jones will have the career Draymond Green has had. Thunder fans can dream, though!