It’s over. The Oklahoma City Thunder are your 2025 NBA champions.
The question now becomes: Will they be your next NBA dynasty?
Sam Presti is a genius. Gregg Popovich told us this a long time ago, and Pop knows genius when he sees it — whether in front of him or in the mirror.
It all started one day as a referee at a Spurs youth basketball camp, a couple of years after the unheralded 6-foot-1 guard transferred colleges because — get this — he liked Emerson’s music program.
He brought Tony Parker to San Antonio, Kevin Durant to Seattle, and Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Paul George to Oklahoma City.
Parker produced championships and Durant a headache, but the real genius in Presti was revealed in his ability to extract nine future first-round picks for Westbrook, Harden and George — a once supremely talented trio that has combined for zero championships.
The Thunder didn’t have any either — until now. But that’s about to change … perhaps big time.
Not only does Oklahoma City have a decade of success staring it in the face, but perhaps Greatest Team of All Time honors if Presti goes all in on his three aces — hoping to improve to a royal flush.
You see, the Thunder own first-round picks from the Clippers, Heat and likely 76ers this year; from the Rockets, Clippers and possibly Jazz in 2026; from the Nuggets in 2027; from the Mavericks (via a likely pick swap) in 2028; another from the Nuggets in 2029; and as many as 12 additional second-rounders in the next five years.
Forget about the Thunder’s own first-round selections for a minute. If they simply gave those 21 picks to two expansion teams, each would be a contender within two years.
Would you do it? No, not give the picks away — rather, try to upgrade from three aces.
Before the banner is even raised, Presti has to realize he’s reached a three-pronged fork in the road. Here are his options…
TRUST THE SYSTEM
The Thunder have been built from scratch, using one brilliant trade (which netted Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams), some intelligent draft picks (including Chet Holmgren, Jaylin Williams and Aaron Wiggins), a couple of shrewd veteran signings (Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso), and two scrap-heap finds (Lu Dort and Isaiah Joe) to paint a masterpiece.
With everyone signed at least through next season, the ability to add a cheap veteran or two, and possibly three first-round picks in each of the next two drafts, the Thunder have every reason to believe the slow-and-steady approach remains the way to go. They could then use the picks to fill holes as they come.
So how does the team get better? The Thunder might not have to improve — but chances are, they will. Of the 10 guys who scored in Sunday’s dramatic 92–87 win at Denver, only Caruso (30) is older than 26.
REPEAT BEFORE COMMITTING
The NBA has had six champions in the last six years. The Thunder would be the seventh. Not counting the Celtics — who could be a second-round casualty a year after coasting to a title — none of the previous five defending champs made even the conference finals. One (the Lakers) lost in the first round, and the other four (Raptors, Bucks, Warriors and Nuggets) were bounced in Round 2.
In other words, we’re looking at an era of parity in the NBA, not dynasties. At least until Victor Wembanyama grows up.
So while Presti might want to reward this year’s crew with the opportunity to repeat, recent history says it won’t happen.
That’s OK, because unlike some of the veteran-laden defending champs mentioned earlier, the Thunder aren’t going anywhere — even if the 2026 season ends without hardware.
Still, a safety net would be nice. The Thunder could deal all three of their first-round picks this year for picks in next year’s draft. That would give them as many as six first-rounders in 2026 and an ability to package to move up for a potential superstar rookie — or a couple of heavyweight newcomers to fill unexpected holes.
GET GREEDY
The Bulls won in 1991, 1992 and 1993 — but there’d have been no dynasty without the addition of Dennis Rodman.
The Warriors captured the crown in 2015, then won 73 games in 2016 — but their run of five straight trips to the NBA Finals (resulting in three championships) doesn’t happen without Durant coming aboard.
Sometimes, being the best isn’t enough. Hanging a banner brings on greater expectations: being the best of the best.
The Thunder have that opportunity.
With SGA, Holmgren and Jalen Williams set for years to come, imagine trading 10 future first-round picks to get a shot at Cooper Flagg. Or a handful to move up to No. 2 and snatch Dylan Harper. Or package as many picks as it would take — with Hartenstein’s big contract — in an attempt to lure Giannis, LeBron or Joel Embiid.
Can you imagine Flagg or Giannis with that crew … for maybe the next decade? Move over, Bulls. Step aside, Warriors.
The opportunity is now. Presti can think big …
Or risk becoming the Lakers.
