The Oklahoma City Thunder have established the first step in a dynasty that could last for the next decade if managed correctly. Sam Presti and Mark Dagenault have masterminded a truly astonishing process of trades and draft picks over the past few years that has led the Thunder to their first title since relocating from Seattle. Shai Gilgeous Alexander has led the team with his charismatic, calm demeanor backed up by the Thunder’s other second-year stars, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams.
The Thunder have completed their transformation from the Supersonics
The basketball fans of Seattle were heartbroken when their team relocated to Oklahoma City and completely changed the entire organization’s identity. The name, the logo, the team’s colors, everything changed. For Oklahoma basketball fans, however, a new era of NBA participation was on the cards. The team immediately drafted superstars and established the organization as a force in the Western Conference.
The Thunder barely lost out on a deep run in the 2023-24 season. Following a reworking of certain players’ focus and training, the Thunder have emerged as the most dominant team in the Western Conference, and they have so much potential to keep growing at an incredible rate. They have secured their three big hitters with new extensions, and they have significant draft capital for the next few years thanks to the wheeling and dealing of Sam Presti.
The Thunder have been on a rollercoaster of evolution
The first title in the club’s 17-year history came thanks to SGA and his teammates outperforming every team in the NBA. In the 2024-25 season, they set the record for the largest point differential of all time in the regular season, smashing a mark that had stood for more than half a century. The 103-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 set another record for OKC as they became the second-youngest champion in NBA history, behind only the 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers.
Ironically, the Thunder clinched the title on the same day that one of their former stars, Kevin Durant, was traded to the Rockets by the Suns in a deal that broke records in the NBA. SGA was full of praise for his teammates and praised the team mentality that the Thunder have become known for since Mark Daigneault and Sam Presti took the reins.
“It doesn’t feel real. So many hours. So many moments. So many emotions. So many nights of disbelief. So many nights of belief. It’s crazy to know that we’re all here, but this group worked for it. This group put in the hours, and we deserve this.” – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The masterminds behind this transformation have been the club’s General Manager, Sam Presti, and head coach, Mark Daigneault:
“They behave like champions. They compete like champions. They root for each other’s success, which is rare in professional sports. I’ve said it many times, and now I’m going to say it one more time. They are an uncommon team, and now they’re champions.” – OKC Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault
OKC has the potential and capital to keep winning for a long time
Thanks to SGA’s incredible season that saw him win regular season and Finals MVP, along with the scoring title, Shai has now signed an extension that makes him, once the contract comes into effect, the highest-paid athlete in American sports. The Thunder have also given the core stars new contracts. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams have both received new contract extensions, and OKC has significant draft capital thanks to Sam Presti’s incredible business acumen. We expect the Thunder to dominate the NBA for many years to come. They can only get better at this point.
Coaches Database/Reuters
