The Thunder initially had the big three of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. After a lone Finals run, OKC struggled to return to the biggest stage – Harden had to be traded because of financial constraints, and further injuries limited the first iteration of the Thunder. They could not budge, but were nearly in four Western Conference Finals runs that signalled a “so-close” moment before ending in disappointment.
Eventually, Kevin Durant walked away from OKC, and the team got nothing in return. The Thunder still managed to come up with fruitful runs – stronger than expected down years, but realistic title hopes were never met at the end of the day, and it stung like hell for a lot of fans waiting for the franchise to win it all.
Then the so-called rebuild. Oklahoma City was out of playoff contention for just two years since making its final appearance in 2020. By the 2023 playoffs, OKC was already showing signs of growth – development, and even competing in the Play-In Tournament. Then came a short playoff run that ended in disappointment, but a string of years full of hope.
In that span, the Thunder landed supreme talents in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren – all of whom have become the dynamic core for the team. Other additions, such as Alex Caruso, Isaiah Hartenstein, among other pieces, the Thunder was suddenly destined for a championship finish.
And just like that, the Thunder have won it all. And just like what Luguentz Dort said, it was a great opportunity to be part of such a team, and it cannot be denied that they deserve all the success they are getting right now.
A Dominance Looming
It is rare for a team to dominate the league for long stretches. Only the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers are known to have pulled off this feat of successive dominance back in the early days of the league. Since then, no team has been able to dominate the league as these teams did before.
We have seen the San Antonio Spurs win five titles, yes, but those had gaps of years in between. The Miami Heat reign was short-lived, and the Golden State Warriors would go on to disassemble before they could run the whole decade. They were, however, the closest that we’ve seen to a dynasty of champions, and that says a lot about how hard it is to win in the NBA in the past few years.
If you are not impressed, the last seven champions are all different teams, and no team has been able to repeat.
List of NBA Champions in the Last Seven Years
The Oklahoma City Thunder's 2025 NBA Championship marks a potential turning point for a franchise with a rich history of talent but past frustrations in converting it into titles. Unlike some recent champions built around veteran cores, the Thunder are young, hungry, and ascending. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged as a true superstar, and with running mates like Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, OKC boasts one of the league’s best foundational trios.
Sam Presti’s vision has long emphasized player development, team-first basketball, and smart drafting. That identity helped get them here, and maintaining it will be essential. Every dynasty needs culture as its backbone. If OKC continues to prioritize internal growth over quick-fix trades or flashy signings, they’ll keep their edge and avoid the chaos that often unravels contenders.
The Thunder still hold a war chest of future draft picks, thanks to trades involving Paul George, Chris Paul, and others. This gives them flexibility that few contenders have. Whether they use those picks to draft complementary talent or to acquire proven veterans, how OKC manages those assets will determine whether they stay elite or fall back into the pack.
The Future of the Thunder Core
SGA, J-Dub, and Chet will definitely be the primary focus of the Thunder’s core in the coming years. It remains unknown how the defensive trio of Dort, Caruso, and Cason Wallace would remain as backups, but it is worth noting that they all have made their mark and will likely remain as key pieces. Nikola Topic is yet to begin his career, but is already a champion. However, one can say that he is going to be a huge talking point if he turns out to be a big steal for the Thunder.
OKC still has depth projects and a mountain of future picks. Whether they turn those into more prospects or trade them for veterans, the flexibility is unmatched. Sam Presti holds the keys to sustained dominance. There’s also Ousmane Dieng, who will either be gone or unlocked well in the next season as he emerges in a bigger role for the Thunder.
The Thunder’s journey wasn’t fast or flashy – it was measured, strategic, and unrelenting. Now they sit atop the NBA mountain, not as a flash-in-the-pan champion, but as a franchise built to last.
With a young, ascending core, a championship culture, and more tools at their disposal than any other contender, Oklahoma City is poised to not just win again, but to rule.
The 2025 championship is more than a banner. It’s a symbol of everything the Thunder have stood for: resilience, vision, patience, and heart. This franchise didn’t skip steps – they trusted the process, built through the draft, developed from within, and stayed true to their identity. And now, the results speak for themselves.
But this is also a call to stay grounded. Every champion is hunted. Every dynasty starts with a spark but survives on sacrifice. The Thunder now wear the crown, and with it comes the pressure of expectations, media scrutiny, and challengers eager to knock them off the top.
Still, if the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that this Thunder team doesn’t shy away from adversity – they embrace it. So here’s to the team that defied odds, redefined small-market success, and brought a championship home to Oklahoma.
Not just a story of basketball, but a story of belief. The Thunder have arrived. The question now isn’t “if” they’ll be back.
It’s how many times they would be gunning for it.
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