Is the title of Thunder the beginning of an NBA dynasty? It is difficult to win some, but Thunder has created better than most
Oklahoma City – We said it on the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. We said it on the Denver Nuggets two years ago. We said it on Boston Celtics last year.
We are saying it on Oklahoma City Thunder now: it seems the beginning of a dynasty.
They also realize what is a mountain to climb.
“You didn’t guarantee anything in the championship,” said Alex Caruso, soaked in Champagne after the thunder’s victory. “I think it is the biggest thing that happens from year to year that people forget. Every moment that your team can change with a trade, with an injury, with something that is out of your control. Being able to get to the height of this sport and winning is nothing short of extraordinary. Think that you can simply enter and do it every year is a bit naive.
“You are quiet, we will present the first day next year ready to improve and ready to chase him again.”
What makes Oklahoma City different from the other “bankrupt” dynasties is the team’s youth: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is just entering his peak at the age of 26, and is one of their old rotation players. The only key rotation player of 30 or more is Alex Caruso (and they make fun of him for his age). Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are still on their beginner contracts (both can and will be offered enormous extensions this summer, but those would not enter until the summer of 2026).
“We are certainly still space to grow,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “This is the fun part of this. So many of us can still improve. There are not many of us in the team that are” to our first “or even close. We have a lot to grow, individually and in a group. I am enthusiastic about the future of this team. This is a great start, for sure.”
The NBA tax aprons come for everyone and the thunder will not make an exception. While they can be largely back in this main roster next season, the following year, it will be difficult to keep agents like Isaiah Hartentein and Lu Dort, who will have many suitors on the open market.
It is here that the fact that the president of Thunder Sam Presti has accumulated withdrawals in the negotiations-11 choices of the first round between today and 2030-is so critical, the Thunder can use them to reconstitute the roster or trade for other players.
The other secret sauce to this potential dynasty? These players really like them and want to be successful together.
“I think the most impressive part is the group that did it. Our whole inside and off the pitch, as we had fun, made it much easier,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “He made it seemed that we were only children playing basketball. It was so fun.”
What would be fun is another ring, but the last seven years have shown how difficult it will be to get.