During his recent annual preseason media session, Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti highlighted a daunting trend: over the past six years, no reigning NBA champion has advanced beyond the second round in the subsequent season. Presti acknowledged the significant challenge of a repeat, stating simply, “It`s exceedingly difficult to win even once.” Despite the Thunder`s current championship status, Presti reiterated his familiar philosophy: a commitment to gradual improvement, an expectation of fluctuating performance, and a willingness to adapt lineups dynamically to uncover new winning strategies.
He emphasized that the team wouldn`t merely mimic past successes or remain beholden to previous tactics.
While the reigning champions are retaining their full rotation from the previous year, the most intriguing aspect is their potential for evolution. The youthful core suggests ample room for offensive development and strategic shifts.
Presti candidly remarked, “I don`t believe we`ve reached a point where opposing teams feel powerless to stop us.”
Last season, the team`s “double-big” lineup, Ajay Mitchell, and Nikola Topić were largely underutilized or unavailable. This raises the intriguing possibility that, even after a 68-win championship season, the Thunder`s future iteration could be remarkably superior – a truly formidable prospect.
Current Status and Key Developments
Previous Season Overview: Injuries significantly impacted the Thunder`s frontcourt early last year, with Isaiah Hartenstein sidelined during preseason and Chet Holmgren missing 10 games. This necessitated 6-foot-5 Jalen Williams filling in at center for substantial minutes. Despite their two primary big men playing together in only 20 contests, Oklahoma City achieved a league-best 68-14 regular-season record. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, after securing his first MVP and third consecutive First Team All-NBA selection, spearheaded OKC to an NBA championship, overcoming the Grizzlies, Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Pacers. Although their playoff series against Denver and Indiana proved challenging, the Thunder clinched both Game 7s decisively.
Offseason Activity: The Thunder selected big man Thomas Sorber with the 15th overall pick, but his September ACL tear means a first-round pick will miss the entire season for the third time in four years. Other moves included trading the No. 24 pick to the Kings for a future first-rounder and moving Dillon Jones for a future second-round pick. They also secured Ajay Mitchell on a three-year, $8.7 million deal and Jaylin Williams with a three-year, $24 million extension. Crucially, the team solidified its future by signing core talents Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (four years, $272.4 million, player option), Jalen Williams (five years, $239.9 million), and Chet Holmgren (five years, $239.9 million) to long-term contracts.
Vegas Prediction: BetMGM sets their season win total over/under at 62.5.
Perspectives and Debates
Thunder Optimist:
It`s astounding to consider that the 2024-25 championship season might merely be the start. The Thunder didn`t just win a title; they established themselves as an all-time great team. Historically, only four NBA teams have recorded more regular-season victories, only one boasts a superior net rating, and none — not the 1996 Bulls, 1972 Lakers, or 2016 Warriors — surpassed their point differential. Crucially, unlike the 2016 Warriors, this dominant force sealed the deal with a championship. Despite their extreme youth, the Thunder are now undeniably seasoned. If Presti and coach Mark Daigneault weren`t prioritizing long-term development over immediate win totals, they could conceivably achieve a 74-8 record this season. My prediction, however, is simpler: a healthy Thunder squad will be an even more formidable playoff opponent.
Thunder Skeptic:
Let me gently remind you that Game 7 of the NBA Finals was tied when Tyrese Haliburton suffered his Achilles tear just five minutes into the first quarter. Furthermore, three days prior, with an opportunity to clinch the series in Indianapolis, the Thunder endured a significant 31-point blowout loss. While I don`t intend to diminish their championship or add an asterisk, it appeared the Pacers had a strong chance of an upset before Haliburton`s injury. The series conclusion robbed Indiana of a prime opportunity and prevented Oklahoma City from unequivocally claiming historical dominance (at least without specific `regular season` caveats). Had the Thunder definitively overcome all the challenges posed by Indiana, I`d readily join you in praising their supremacy. However, that wasn`t the case, leading me to expect similar vulnerabilities to surface in the upcoming playoffs.
Thunder Optimist:
Are you suggesting the Thunder`s championship victory wasn`t sufficiently impressive? I disagree entirely. A Game 6 Finals blowout is no more indicative of overall performance than the Celtics` Game 4 loss the previous year or the Bulls` 1996 Game 4 defeat. Championship banners are permanent; there`s no additional distinction for superior Finals three-point shooting or an unbeaten playoff run. Last season is behind us, and I fully expect challenges in this year`s playoffs—that`s the nature of postseason basketball! However, I remain highly confident that their deep talent pool and tactical flexibility will enable them to overcome these obstacles.
Thunder Skeptic:
My point is simply that Denver and Indiana highlighted certain weaknesses. Despite Presti`s emphasis on instinctive, rhythmic offense, the Thunder`s play became noticeably sluggish, predictable, and mechanical under intense playoff pressure. Their 32.3% three-point shooting against the Nuggets was particularly jarring, especially as Denver deliberately left perimeter role players open to crowd the paint. With Denver and the Clippers bolstering their rosters and the Rockets acquiring Kevin Durant, I wouldn`t be surprised if one of these teams prevents OKC from reaching the Finals again, though I can`t say for sure. I am, however, certain that Presti and Daigneault aim for the team to be less dependent on forced turnovers and transition scoring.
Thunder Optimist:
Precisely! That`s why they`ll dedicate the entire regular season to refining a more fluid playoff offense. Will Chet Holmgren`s off-the-dribble skills advance, a promising aspect initially hindered by his pelvic injury last season? Will Jalen Williams` pull-up three-pointer become a more formidable weapon after recovering from a serious wrist injury? Can Cason Wallace enhance his playmaking abilities? Will Ajay Mitchell and/or Nikola Topić secure spots in the playoff rotation? I don`t have definitive answers to these queries, but OKC`s history strongly indicates that complacency isn`t in their nature.
Thunder Skeptic:
I expected a more assertive rebuttal. Nevertheless, my core argument remains: without substantial offensive development, the Thunder`s scoring could prove to be their undoing this season. This wouldn`t necessarily imply complacency on their part, but it would likely necessitate considerable strategic adjustments. For a team with such immense talent, anything short of another championship will undoubtedly be perceived as a failure.
