It’s over. The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder are your 2025 NBA champions.
The query now turns into: Will they be your subsequent NBA dynasty?
Sam Presti is a genius. Gregg Popovich advised us this a very long time in the past, and Pop is aware of genius when he sees it — whether or not in entrance of him or within the mirror.
It began in the future as a referee at a Spurs youth basketball camp, a few years after the unheralded 6-foot-1 guard transferred schools as a result of — get this — he preferred Emerson’s music program.
He introduced Tony Parker to San Antonio, Kevin Durant to Seattle, and Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Paul George to Oklahoma Metropolis.
Parker produced championships and Durant a headache, however the actual genius in Presti was revealed in his capacity to extract 9 future first-round picks for Westbrook, Harden and George — a as soon as supremely gifted trio that has mixed for zero championships.
The Thunder didn’t have any both — till now. However that’s about to alter … maybe huge time.
Not solely does Oklahoma Metropolis have a decade of success staring it within the face, however maybe Best Crew of All Time honors if Presti goes all in on his three aces — hoping to enhance to a royal flush.
You see, the Thunder personal first-round picks from the Clippers, Warmth and sure 76ers this 12 months; from the Rockets, Clippers and presumably Jazz in 2026; from the Nuggets in 2027; from the Mavericks (by way of a possible choose swap) in 2028; one other from the Nuggets in 2029; and as many as 12 further second-rounders within the subsequent 5 years.
Overlook concerning the Thunder’s personal first-round picks for a minute. In the event that they merely gave these 21 picks to 2 enlargement groups, every could be a contender inside two years.
Would you do it? No, not give the picks away — moderately, attempt to improve from three aces.
Earlier than the banner is even raised, Presti has to comprehend he’s reached a three-pronged fork within the street. Listed below are his choices…
TRUST THE SYSTEM
The Thunder have been constructed from scratch, utilizing one sensible commerce (which netted Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams), some clever draft picks (together with Chet Holmgren, Jaylin Williams and Aaron Wiggins), a few shrewd veteran signings (Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso), and two scrap-heap finds (Lu Dort and Isaiah Joe) to color a masterpiece.
With everybody signed not less than by means of subsequent season, the flexibility so as to add an affordable veteran or two, and presumably three first-round picks in every of the following two drafts, the Thunder have each purpose to consider the slow-and-steady strategy stays the way in which to go. They may then use the picks to fill holes as they arrive.
So how does the crew get higher? The Thunder may not have to enhance — however likelihood is, they’ll. Of the ten guys who scored in Sunday’s dramatic 92–87 win at Denver, solely Caruso (30) is older than 26.
REPEAT BEFORE COMMITTING
The NBA has had six champions within the final six years. The Thunder could be the seventh. Not counting the Celtics — who might be a second-round casualty a 12 months after coasting to a title — not one of the earlier 5 defending champs made even the convention finals. One (the Lakers) misplaced within the first spherical, and the opposite 4 (Raptors, Bucks, Warriors and Nuggets) have been bounced in Spherical 2.
In different phrases, we’re taking a look at an period of parity within the NBA, not dynasties. A minimum of till Victor Wembanyama grows up.
So whereas Presti may wish to reward this 12 months’s crew with the chance to repeat, current historical past says it received’t occur.
That’s OK, as a result of in contrast to among the veteran-laden defending champs talked about earlier, the Thunder aren’t going wherever — even when the 2026 season ends with out {hardware}.
Nonetheless, a security internet could be good. The Thunder might deal all three of their first-round picks this 12 months for picks in subsequent 12 months’s draft. That will give them as many as six first-rounders in 2026 and a capability to package deal to maneuver up for a possible famous person rookie — or a few heavyweight newcomers to fill sudden holes.
GET GREEDY
The Bulls received in 1991, 1992 and 1993 — however there’d have been no dynasty with out the addition of Dennis Rodman.
The Warriors captured the crown in 2015, then received 73 video games in 2016 — however their run of 5 straight journeys to the NBA Finals (leading to three championships) doesn’t occur with out Durant coming aboard.
Generally, being the perfect isn’t sufficient. Hanging a banner brings on better expectations: being the perfect of the perfect.
The Thunder have that chance.
With SGA, Holmgren and Jalen Williams set for years to return, think about buying and selling 10 future first-round picks to get a shot at Cooper Flagg. Or a handful to maneuver as much as No. 2 and snatch Dylan Harper. Or package deal as many picks as it will take — with Hartenstein’s huge contract — in an try and lure Giannis, LeBron or Joel Embiid.
Are you able to think about Flagg or Giannis with that crew … for perhaps the following decade? Transfer over, Bulls. Step apart, Warriors.
The chance is now. Presti can assume huge …
Or threat changing into the Lakers.
