Let’s keep it real: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Lu Dort, and Chet Holmgren are locked into the starting lineup. That’s the nuclear core. But that fifth spot? It’s the juiciest subplot of the Thunder’s 2026-27 campaign, and it’s not even close. Training camp looms in late September, and the OKC brass, led by Mark Daigneault, are playing this one close to the vest. As of today, Isaiah Hartenstein is the betting favorite to trot out for opening night, but the arrival of Naz Reid and a sneaky veteran minimum signing has turned this into a full-blown position battle. Let’s break down the three legitimate candidates for the job.
The Heavyweight Favorite: Isaiah Hartenstein (The Twin Towers Approach)
The big German has been the de facto starter for stretches, and for good reason. The numbers don’t lie: In 48 games alongside the core four last season, that lineup posted a ridiculous +14.2 net rating - the best in the NBA. That’s not a fluke; that’s chemistry.
📊 +14.2 net rating with Hartenstein starting - The best five-man lineup mark in the entire league last season, proving the twin-tower fit works on both ends.
Daigneault loves the size. Run Hartenstein at the five, and Holmgren roams as a weak-side shot-blocker, turning the Thunder into a nightmare defensively. The DraftKings odds reflect that comfort, with Hartenstein sitting at -340 to start against Denver on October 21. But here’s the catch: Chet’s right foot surgery in June. If Chet is fully cleared for camp, the double-big lineup stays. If they want to preserve his legs, sliding Chet to center - and bringing I-Hart off the bench - becomes a tempting medical decision.
Table: Starting Lineup Efficiency (2025-26 Regular Season)
| Lineup | Games | Net Rating | Best Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Four + Hartenstein | 48 | +14.2 | NBA Best |
| Core Four + Reid | 22 | +9.8 | Elite |
| Core Four + Batum | 6 | +7.1 | Solid |
The Internal Disruptor: Naz Reid (The Spacing Upgrade)
Now it gets spicy. The Thunder didn’t trade for Reid at the February deadline just to have him hold a clipboard. Naz Reid is the ultimate "chess piece" starter. He gives you legitimate 6'9" size with 38% three-point shooting - a skill Hartenstein simply doesn’t possess.
The "F-You" Lineup Potential
Imagine a closing lineup of SGA, J-Dub, Dort, Chet, and Reid. No drop coverage survives that. You neutralize the rim protector by dragging him to the perimeter. Sure, the plus/minus dipped to +9.8 with Reid starting (22 games), but that’s still elite. The real question: does Daigneault want brute force (Hartenstein) or finesse (Reid)? According to The Oklahoman's beat coverage, the coaching staff has been experimenting with Reid at the four in informal workouts since mid-July. If the Nuggets are on the slate for Game 1, expect Daigneault to weigh the matchup - his own words on August 10 confirmed this won’t be a permanent decision.
📊 38% from three for Naz Reid - The spacing differential that could actually push Hartenstein to the bench and unlock a new dimension of OKC's offense.
The Dark Horse Vet: Nicolas Batum (The Small-Ball X-Factor)
Don’t sleep on the July 8 signing. Batum’s one-year, $3.3M deal wasn’t just for locker room vibes. The 37-year-old Frenchman is the ultimate "connector." If the Thunder wants to go hyper-small and sprint teams off the floor, Batum gives them a proven 3-and-D wing with championship pedigree.
He answers the question: "What if we don’t want a traditional center at all?" His odds (+650) suggest he’s a long shot, but in a matchup-based system, he’s the stormtrooper - perfect for staggered minutes, not necessarily the opening tip. Rumor has it Ousmane Dieng’s Summer League explosion (18.4 PPG, 38% from three) impressed the staff, but he’s still a development project, not a day-one starter.
