About this episode

The episode discusses standout performances from OKC Thunder rookies in the Summer League and offers early predictions for the upcoming NBA season.

Oklahoma City Thunder rookies turn heads in NBA Summer League action—is this the strongest rookie class in years? Rylan Stiles and Justin Martinez break down standout performances from Aday Mara, Bennett Sturtz, and Josh Dix, highlighting Mara’s passing vision, Sturtz’s shooting upside, and the defensive tenacity of Ortega Away. Insights from Salt Lake City reveal how summer league roles differ from regular season expectations and why fans shouldn’t overreact to early results. The hosts offer bold, way-too-early predictions for the Thunder’s 2024-25 season, debating the starting lineup, the importance of Lu Dort’s defense, and how Isaiah Hartenstein and Ajay Mitchell could elevate OKC’s offense. The conversation also shifts league-wide: which NBA teams improved or regressed most during the offseason, and where does LeBron James’ next move leave the title picture? Get expert analysis and insider anecdotes from press conferences, practices, and beyond.

People in this episode

Host: Rylan Stiles

Guest: Justin Martinez

Topics covered

• NBA Summer League
• rookie performances
• season predictions
• Oklahoma City Thunder
• team analysis
• NBA offseason

Keywords

• Oklahoma City Thunder
• NBA Summer League
• rookies
• season predictions
• Lu Dort
• LeBron James
• basketball analysis

More episodes of Locked On Thunder - Daily Podcast On The Oklahoma City Thunder

• REACTING to Sam Presti Quotes on Lu Dort Trade | Will OKC Thunder be More Offensively Slanted This · July 21, 2026 · 37 min
• OKC Thunder TRADE Lu Dort to Hawks | What it means MOVING FORWARD | Is OKC BETTER or WORSE · July 19, 2026 · 37 min
• Aday Mara, Bennett Stirtz Summer League Ends | Grading Your Hot Takes Part II · July 17, 2026 · 36 min
• THUNDER SQUAD SHOW: OKC Will WIN The NBA Title Next Year IF... + Mark Daigneault Joins Team USA · July 16, 2026 · 1h 1m
• Grading YOUR HOT TAKES | How to Handle Lu Dort | BOLD Chet Holmgren Prediction · July 16, 2026 · 35 min
• THUNDER SQUAD SHOW: REALISTIC Expectations For Aday Mara + OKC NBA Summer League Standouts · July 14, 2026 · 1h 0m

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