Daniel Dixon excited to start first season as G League's OKC Blue head coach

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OKC Blue head Daniel Dixon at 2025-26 Media Day.

Doing his part in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 2025 NBA championship run, Daniel Dixon had little time to enjoy the fruits of their celebration. A couple of quick photo poses holding the Larry O'Brien trophy and sporting a champion hat were sufficient.

The NBA has evolved from a nine-month business to a year-round industry giant. Dixon experienced that firsthand. Only a couple of weeks after they won the 2025 NBA Finals, he prepared for the 2025 Summer League. He coached the Utah portion of the schedule. A year after he coached in Las Vegas.

The Thunder have had the two-coach approach in Summer League for the last handful of years. It's one of the luxuries of going to both the smaller Utah one and the traditional Las Vegas one.

Soon afterward, Dixon learned about a new job change. After spending last season as a Thunder assistant, he'd take over as the G League's OKC Blue head coach. Kameron Woods had previously spent the past three seasons as the affiliate's head coach and won the 2024 G League championship. He's returned to being an OKC assistant.

The Blue held their 2025-26 Media Day on Monday. Dixon publicly commented on being named as the new Blue head coach for the first time since it happened. He also reflected on his experience of the Thunder's championship journey as an assistant coach.

“It’s been awesome. Everything you dream of as a competitor, as a player and now as a coach," Dixon said. "It's been an awesome offseason. There's been a lot of change. It's all been good change. No complaints and just ready for the season."

Dixon joked that the biggest surprise has been a new office. He joins a long lineage of coaches who have spent time on the Thunder and Blue staff. Other notable entrants include Mark Daigneault, Grant Gibbs and Woods. Connor Johnson was also previously a G League head coach with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Perhaps no other NBA franchise better squeezes every drop of juice out of their G League affiliate like the Thunder. Both teams play in the same arena, share the same city and run the same systems and general philosophies. It makes assignments and recalls as seamless as possible.

"There was a process throughout last year and going into the offseason. After Summer League, I kinda found out I had the position," Dixon said. "I was super excited when I heard. I'm very thankful. Also took some time to reflect on the last three years and what they've been like for me. Just extremely grateful for the opportunity."

As the Blue prepare to start their 2025-26 regular season, Dixon reflected on the Thunder's NBA championship journey. Looking at OKC's playoff rotation, it was filled with several developmental success stories who spent time in the G League to start their careers. Ala Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, Jaylin Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso.

"Awesome to be a part of. Just awesome to be part of the moments that happened before I got here. I think there was a lot of groundwork that was put in for a lot of different people. It's really cool to be around people who have been here for a really long time," Dixon said. "Put in a ton of work for the city. Just watching the ways the fans embraced everybody. The way the players carried themselves throughout and what they consistently did on a daily basis. It feels good to be a part of something like that."

Aspiring for similar goals, Dixon hopes this new G League head coach experience can help him grow in his career. The Thunder have had enough successful examples to show that they know what they're doing with their developmental affiliate.

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Daniel Dixon excited for first season as G League OKC Blue head coach



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