The NBA’s G League draft is always a high-stakes affair, but this year’s event brought an extra jolt of excitement to basketball fans in Southern California and beyond. On October 26, 2025, the South Bay Lakers, G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers, seized the spotlight by selecting Dillon Jones with the coveted No. 1 overall pick. For Jones, it’s a fresh start after a whirlwind rookie year and a dramatic offseason that saw him go from NBA champion to free agent, and now, the centerpiece of the South Bay Lakers’ ambitions for the upcoming season.
Jones’s journey to the G League’s top draft spot is nothing short of remarkable. Just months ago, he was celebrating as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s championship-winning roster during the 2024-25 NBA season. For many players, that would be the pinnacle — but the NBA is a business, and roster decisions can be as ruthless as they are strategic. The Thunder, eager to make space for their 2025 NBA Draft pick Thomas Sorber, made the tough call to cut Jones during the offseason. The message was clear: while Jones had contributed to their title run, the franchise saw Sorber as a brighter long-term prospect.
For Dillon Jones, the move was a bittersweet twist. He’d lived the dream of being part of an NBA championship team, even if his minutes were limited. During his rookie campaign with Oklahoma City, Jones averaged 2.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. Modest numbers, sure, but when you’re competing for playing time on a stacked roster like the Thunder’s, every stat counts. Still, the NBA is unforgiving, and Jones found himself searching for his next opportunity as the new season approached.
That opportunity came swiftly, thanks to the South Bay Lakers. With the No. 1 pick in hand, the Lakers’ G League affiliate saw potential in Jones that others may have overlooked. And why not? When Jones suited up for the Oklahoma City Blue — the Thunder’s own G League squad — he made his presence felt in a big way. In just five games, he averaged 14.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per contest. Those are eye-popping numbers that suggest Jones could be on the verge of a breakout if given the right role and consistent minutes.
“Getting drafted to any of the 30 NBA teams is a dream come true for any basketball player in the world,” noted one league insider, underscoring just how competitive the journey can be. For players like Jones, who hover on the fringe of NBA rotations, the G League isn’t just a consolation prize — it’s a launchpad. Many have used it as a springboard back into the NBA, and Jones’s recent production hints that he could be next in line for a call-up if he keeps up his stellar play.
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder haven’t missed a beat since their roster shakeup. If anything, they’ve looked even more formidable as they kick off their title defense campaign. The start of the 2025-26 NBA season has been a rollercoaster for Thunder fans, with the team jumping out to a 3-0 record that includes two nail-biting double overtime victories. Exhaustion may have set in for the shorthanded squad, but their resilience has been nothing short of inspiring.
Game three of the new season saw the Thunder finally catch their breath — and then some. Facing the Atlanta Hawks on the road, Oklahoma City delivered a statement win, blowing out their opponents and giving their starters a rare chance to rest in the fourth quarter. But even in a lopsided contest, the Thunder found a way to make history. Their dynamic duo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, put on a show for the ages.
Both Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren scored 30 or more points in less than 30 minutes of playing time, a feat never before accomplished by a Thunder pair. Holmgren poured in 31 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in just 27 minutes, while Gilgeous-Alexander notched 30 points, five rebounds, and five assists in 28 minutes. The efficiency was staggering: the duo combined to shoot 20-for-29 from the field, a testament to their offensive prowess and chemistry on the court.
“SGA & Chet become the first Thunder duo ever to each score 30+ PTS in under 30 MIN,” Real Sports reported, capturing the buzz around the franchise’s latest milestone. For Holmgren, it was arguably the best game of his young career, and for Gilgeous-Alexander, it was another showcase of his relentless efficiency and leadership. The Thunder faithful have every reason to be excited about the team’s future, especially as Holmgren continues to blossom into a bona fide All-Star candidate.
All this has unfolded with the Thunder still missing a key piece: Jalen Williams. Widely regarded as the player who completes Oklahoma City’s emerging core, Williams’s return is highly anticipated and could elevate the team’s ceiling even further. Until then, the Thunder are proving that depth, resilience, and a little bit of history-making magic can keep them at the top of the Western Conference conversation.
For the South Bay Lakers and Dillon Jones, the new G League season represents a fresh chapter and a shot at redemption. Jones’s all-around game — his ability to score, rebound, and facilitate — fits perfectly with the Lakers’ vision of developing NBA-ready talent. If he can replicate or even exceed his previous G League numbers, it’s only a matter of time before NBA teams come calling once again. The road back to the NBA is never easy, but Jones has shown he’s got the grit and skill to make the journey.
As the NBA and G League seasons get underway, all eyes will be on rising stars, record-breaking duos, and the next wave of talent eager to seize their moment. Whether it’s a franchise making history on the big stage or a young player fighting for another shot, the drama and excitement of basketball’s new year are already in full swing. And for fans in South Bay, Oklahoma City, and beyond, the action is just heating up.
