NBA 2025-26: everything you need to know about Oklahoma City Thunder this season

Champion for the first time in their history at the end of a memorable season, the Thunder approach the season as strong favourites for their own succession.

68 victories in the regular season, then the ring at the end of breathless playoffs: Oklahoma City are not about to forget the 2024-25 season. The Thunder lifted their first Larry O’Brien trophy at the end of Game 7 against the Pacers, the conclusion of a campaign of complete beauty. Having become the new boss of the NBA, OKC must now confirm their status. Of all the recent champions, they are perhaps the one who tick the most boxes for a possible dynasty. An MVP league leader, a squad still in development and a future already solidly built after the $822 million invested this summer to extend their stars: all the pillars are in place. All that remains is to confirm on the court with the oh so difficult challenge of the back-to-back.

Ask the Lakers in 2021, the Bucks in 2022, the Nuggets in 2024, or the Celtics last season. All these champions would have been happy to repeat, with a squad largely retained. But they all came up against different obstacles, from injuries to a form of decompression after reaching the Grail for the first time. There is the height of the challenge that awaits Mark Daigneault’s men.

His group remains unchanged, still led by their trio extended until 2031 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Jalen Williams – Chet Holmgren and a host of complementary players all very well integrated into their role. At 27 years old, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrives at the peak of his career. The Canadian has until now systematically progressed from year to year, it remains to be seen what he has in store for the restart, him who has added a serious outside shot to his arsenal in recent months. Jalen Williams (24 years old), Chet Holmgren (23 years old), Cason Wallace (21 years old) or Ajay Mitchell (23 years old) are also on the ascending phase of their young career and could bring an additional piece to OKC’s puzzle.

Yet it is as if they do not really need it. Gruelling defensively and formidable in transition, this Thunder are a steamroller against which opponents have not yet found a lasting solution.

Mark Daigneault will doubtless draw some lessons from the last playoffs which had seen the Nuggets and Pacers go to Game 7. Oklahoma City can notably progress in their half-court game against teams who would manage to limit Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

A further step that could lead this team to a first double since the Warriors in 2017 and 2018. For the most superstitious, rookie Thomas Sorber’s injury recalls that of Nikola Topic a year earlier, him also forced to wait a season before his NBA debut.

Summer movementsArrivals: Brooks Barnhizer (draft, two-way), Thomas Sorber (draft), Chris Youngblood (two-way)

Departures: Dillon Jones

The player to follow: Jalen Williams

We left him euphoric, champion’s trophy in hand a few minutes after Game 7. Jalen Williams discovered the intoxication of the title there, a rare accomplishment for a player only in his third season and already capital in his team’s success.

“J-Dub” has established himself as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s right-hand man, defensive watchdog on the wings, and increasingly reliable attacker. He passed the 30-point mark on ten occasions in 2024-25, more than during his first two seasons combined. And his ascent is doubtless only beginning.

Newly an All-Star, he is now part of these players from whom we expect evening after evening that he brings his twenty points, five rebounds and as many assists. He must now establish himself more regularly still as an offensive boss, him who is often associated with bench players to hold the Thunder when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rests a little. This will pass notably through a little more consistency in his outside shot, rare domain where he seemed to regress last season (42.7% from three-point range in 2023-24, 36.5% in 2024-25 and 30.4% in the playoffs). His wrist operation during the summer could require him a little time before returning to full throttle. But the Thunder will need their winger in their quest for a double.

Average age: 25.1 years Salary mass: $188.8 million (16th)

The ideal scenarioWhat better to dream of in Oklahoma City after the idyll of recent months? The Thunder have found a playing style that fits perfectly with their squad, and have all the ingredients in hand to maintain their crazy dynamic. This, whilst the major part of their squad should only mechanically raise their playing level by gaining experience. OKC had such a margin over the competition (16 victories ahead of their runner-up Houston in the regular season…) that finishing with a less glittering record should suffice to remain at the top of the West.

As long as this team stays on their rails in terms of playing philosophy, they seem sheltered from a major disappointment. And their tense series during the last playoffs should only harden them a little more in the eventual ups and downs of a season. The Paycom Center should be able to roar with pleasure for some time yet.

The worst scenarioThe Thunder may well have reigned over 2024-25, their margin for manoeuvre proved less great in the final phase. And their Western competitors, the Nuggets and Rockets at the forefront, strengthened during the summer. Be careful not to fall into an ease that can quickly turn against teams where confidence can transform into excess certainty or even complacency, even if OKC’s dressing room seems well led.

The squad is too dense for injuries to affect the Thunder too much. But the examples of the Celtics with Jayson Tatum or the Pacers with Tyrese Haliburton recall how much success can swing on a stroke of fate. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been generally spared by injuries these last two seasons, which was far from the case the three previous years. OKC’s dependence on their point guard remains substantial, and could be one of the rare vulnerabilities of the reigning champions.

This article was originally published on Basket USA.

ID:584077:1false2false3false: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6953: