Take a bow, Oklahoma City Thunder. With a striking victory over the Indiana Pacers, 103-91, in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the Thunder have shown the world that championships can be built on homegrown talent and smart decisions rather than superstar shopping sprees.
The mastermind behind this successful saga? General Manager Sam Presti, whose calculated trades and draft choices have set the Thunder apart. Back in July 2019, Presti orchestrated a game-changing deal, sending Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for promising guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a cache of five first-round picks, and two swaps. Fast forward to the 2022 NBA Draft, and the Thunder strategically selected forward Jalen Williams with one of those picks, acquired in the George trade. That same draft landed them Chet Holmgren, a powerhouse forward chosen with the No. 2 pick.
While other teams might have pursued another star to seal their championship ambitions, the Thunder stayed true to their vision. They reinforced their roster with reliable role players, bringing in guard Alex Caruso via trade with the Chicago Bulls and signing center Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency. This formula proved unstoppable as the Thunder racked up 84 wins between the regular season and playoffs, matching Michael Jordan’s legendary 1996-97 Chicago Bulls for the third most in NBA history.
Adding to the short list of teams achieving 84+ wins in a season, the Thunder now stand alongside the 2015-16 Warriors, 1995-96 Bulls, and those 1996-97 Bulls — quite a distinguished company to keep.
Despite the Thunder’s demonstrative strategy, many teams are still hanging their title hopes on blockbuster trades. Look no further than the Houston Rockets swapping Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and a lucrative bundle of draft picks for forward Kevin Durant with the Phoenix Suns just this past Sunday. Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic have rolled the dice by sending four unprotected first-round picks and a swap to the Memphis Grizzlies to bring in guard Desmond Bane.
Such moves could potentially lift teams like the Magic and Rockets, but as recent history suggests, these blockbuster trades often don’t guarantee the ultimate prize. The New York Knicks, after acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns, fell to the Pacers in the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals. Similarly, the Lakers’ high-profile grab of Luka Doncic couldn’t stave off an early playoff exit, courtesy of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
True to form, Presti is not turning away from his strategy, showing confidence in the draft with a stockpile of 12 first-round picks lined up from 2025 through 2031. The Thunder’s blueprint isn’t just about current success but sustainable excellence — a vision that could very well see them pulling off back-to-back championships, a feat last achieved by the Golden State Warriors in 2018.
As it stands, the odds are in the Thunder’s favor. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, they’re the frontrunner with the best odds (+220) to take the 2026 NBA title. This could be the dawning of a new dynasty in Oklahoma City. Keep an eye on these Thunder — they’re not just making noise; they’re setting the standard.
