Biggest Thunder X-factor the rest of NBA has seemingly forgotten about

The Oklahoma City Thunder's reserve players have garnered significant attention during the offseason, particularly due to the anticipated debut of rookie Nikola Topic and the rising profile of guard Cason Wallace. However, amidst this buzz, Aaron Wiggins—described as the team's biggest X-factor—has been somewhat overlooked despite his proven value to the team.

Although not a star like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Jalen Williams, nor a physical standout like Chet Holmgren, Wiggins has established himself as a core contributor. During the Thunder's championship-winning 2024-25 season, he ranked among the team leaders in multiple statistical categories. Among players who appeared in at least 50 games, he averaged 12.0 points per game (fourth-highest), shot 48.8% from the field (fourth-best), and 38.3% from three-point range (fourth-best). More notably, he finished with the fifth-best plus/minus rating (+6.8), third-best defensive rating (106.6), and second-best offensive rating (120.7).

Over his four-year tenure with the Thunder, Wiggins has shown consistent improvement and serves as a reliable spark off the bench. His offensive versatility includes crafty ball-handling, a smooth jumper for mid-to-long range scoring, and a quick first step complemented by his 6'5" frame and 6'9" wingspan, making him a challenging matchup for defenses. He is also an efficient catch-and-shoot threat, boasting a 58.1% effective field goal percentage in such situations.

While other reserves have drawn more offseason attention, Wiggins remains the true X-factor of Oklahoma City's second unit. Since joining the team in 2021, he has steadily earned this reputation and continues to work on maintaining his impact, even as less heralded players like Wallace and Topic dominate the conversation.