An even more versatile Shai Gilgeous-Alexander takes shape as the Thunder bid to get back on top

DENVER (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recently joined a new team. In another sport, too.

No worries, though, Oklahoma City fans. His newest role is only that of a stakeholder with Atletico Madrid, a top-flight Spanish soccer club. The reigning two-time NBA MVP remains fully invested in leading the Thunder to another title — as evidenced by his offseason work habits.

Over the summer, Gilgeous-Alexander devoted his time to increasing his versatility on both ends of the floor and taking his conditioning up yet an additional notch.

It’s just another way to be ready for the grind of a grueling season and beyond. The Thunder had their NBA title defense come to an end against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals.

“This group, we understand what it takes to win,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We know what it’s going to look like.”

The Thunder certainly know who stands in the way. They see it quite often inside the Northwest Division, where they run into the Nikola Jokic-led Denver Nuggets and the Anthony Edwards-powered Minnesota Timberwolves.

But there are new contenders, too. Portland has a strong nucleus that includes Damian Lillard and Ja Morant, while Utah may be on its way out of the lottery-pick shadowland. The Jazz boast No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson along with the likes of Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Keyonte George.

“To me, when they’re healthy, that’s the best team in the league,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said of the Thunder, a team the Nuggets start the season against next week. “We know what OKC is when they’re fully healthy. I thought we had really bad luck last year. They did, too.”

Denver dealt with injuries to Aaron Gordon (calf) and Peyton Watson (hamstring), who’s now with Cleveland, in losing a first-round series to Minnesota. The Thunder didn’t have Jalen Williams (hamstring) and Ajay Mitchell (strained soleus) when they fell to the Spurs.

“It’s less learning,” said Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged 31.1 points last season, “and more everybody sharpening their individual blade, and blade as a team.”

Oklahoma City Thunder

Gone are Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins. But the Thunder remain as deep as ever, with the headliners being Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, who was limited to 33 games in the regular season and played in just five postseason contests. Holmgren was held to 10.7 points against the Spurs.

“Chet needs no motivation,” Thunder general manager Sam Presti said. “He didn’t play his best basketball in a series, but as I pointed out at that time, all the great players in NBA history, that’s what makes them great: They encounter these moments, they confront them, and they battle and they learn from those and get better.”

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves made another bold move to try and bolster their core built around Edwards, sacrificing size for playmaking in a trade that jettisoned Julius Randle and Naz Reid to bring in LaMelo Ball.

After reaching the Western Conference finals in 2024 and 2025 and losing in the second round of the playoffs last season to San Antonio, Minnesota president of basketball operations Tim Connelly took a big swing that was designed to move Edwards off the ball, where he’s most naturally comfortable, and spark the offense with one of the NBA’s best pure point guards in Ball. Ace defender Jaden McDaniels should benefit from the shuffle, with increased potential for him to be an impact scorer with his dynamic mid-range game.

Edwards, who’s entering his seventh year in the league, has continued to take on more of a leadership role that will be vital with the departure of revered veteran role players Mike Conley, Kyle Anderson and Joe Ingles.

Denver Nuggets

Informed he looked sleeker this season, Jokic simply responded, “Thank you.” The three-time NBA MVP is the heartbeat of the team, averaging a triple double last season. The Nuggets brought in some help for the Serbian center this season in veteran DeMar DeRozan, who’s entering his 18th season. They added some defensive assistance with Alpha Diallo, the EuroLeague’s defensive player of the year. Of course, Jokic has Gordon, Cameron Johnson, Christian Braun and Jamal Murray.

“Being in a winning environment is good for everybody. It’s a better atmosphere,” said Jokic, who plans to sign a max contract next summer. “People are happier. People are getting paid after the season. So being in a winning environment is much better than losing.”

Portland Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers earned a playoff spot under difficult circumstances with Tiago Splitter stepping in as coach after Chauncey Billups was embroiled in a sprawling alleged poker scheme. But Splitter has moved on to the Chicago Bulls. Taking his place is Micah Nori, an assistant with the Timberwolves.

Portland has made several moves, including a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies for Morant, the often-injured guard who’s looking for a fresh start in the Pacific Northwest. Morant will join Lillard in the backcourt. Lillard is returning from an Achilles injury that sidelined him for all of last season. Deni Avdija was an All-Star in a season where he averaged 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists.

Utah Jazz

This is a young team that very well could be in the running for a playoff spot. They just locked up a key portion of their rebuilding project with George signing a five-year extension. The Jazz are banking on him, Peterson and Ace Bailey, who was the fifth pick in 2025, to guide the squad.

The Jazz have won a combined 39 games over the last two seasons. Their last winning season was in 2021-22 when they went 49-33 and earned a playoff spot. After the season, they refurbished their roster by trading away All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.

“It’s a new team,” George said. “So there’s no need to put unnecessary pressure on ourselves.”

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AP Sports Writers Dave Campbell and Anne M. Peterson contributed to this report.

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