Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti says the franchise's best team is still in the future, a bold claim following their historically dominant 2025 NBA championship season.
Sam Presti made a striking statement about the team's trajectory. "The best Thunder team of all time is out there somewhere in our future," the GM said. This sets a massive expectation for a franchise that just two seasons ago produced one of the most statistically dominant campaigns in league history. That 2024-25 championship squad, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren, posted a net rating of 12.8. That figure is the second-highest single-season mark ever recorded.
Presti's vision isn't dampened by last season's playoff exit. The Thunder's title defense ended in the Western Conference Finals with a tough Game 7 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Yet the front office sees a higher ceiling ahead. Building through the draft and developing young stars remains the core philosophy.
The 2026-27 Thunder are showing their strength right now. Their recent results demonstrate a team hitting its stride as the playoffs approach. Oklahoma City has responded with four consecutive decisive victories.
Then they dominated Phoenix in a three-game set. The offense is firing, and the defense looks locked in.
That title-winning team was a machine. Only one team in NBA history has ever been better by that metric. It was a perfect blend of elite talent and system fit.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the MVP-caliber engine, attacking the paint and creating for others. Jalen Williams provided versatile scoring and playmaking on the wing. Chet Holmgren anchored the defense with his shot-blocking while stretching the floor on offense. Their cohesion on both ends of the court was exceptional. They didn't just win; they overwhelmed teams with consistency.
Presti clearly thinks so. The foundation is already there with Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Holmgren all still in their primes. The front office also holds a treasure trove of future draft picks, giving them unmatched flexibility for trades or to add more young talent. Internal development from players on the current roster is another key path.
The challenge is immense. Reaching that level of regular-season dominance again is rare. Maintaining this core while strategically adding pieces around them is the blueprint. If anyone can engineer a team that surpasses a historic champion, it's Sam Presti and his staff. The next chapter for this franchise is being written now.
