An NBA coach has stated the Oklahoma City Thunder possess the league's most complete roster, ranking them above the San Antonio Spurs despite a recent 103-111 loss on May 31, 2026. The Thunder's recent form over their last five games is 1 win and 4 losses, having dropped their last four contests.
Why does a coach rank the Thunder higher?
A Western Conference coach told Heavy's Sean Deveney that the Spurs have great young players, but no team is more complete than the Thunder. This perspective comes even after Oklahoma City had to trade Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe, and Aaron Wiggins for salary cap reasons this summer. Deveney noted that when fully healthy, the Thunder still have championship-level credentials and the best roster in the NBA.
This view is reflected in many power rankings, which consistently place the Spurs, Thunder, and New York Knicks in the top three spots. Swapping the order of those three teams often doesn't spark major debate among analysts. The coach's comment suggests that roster construction and proven talent, rather than just recent results, drive this evaluation. You can track the team's position in our [standings](/standings) page.
What's the context of the Thunder's recent struggles?
The Spurs currently lead the recent head-to-head matchup, winning a seven-game series in 2026. San Antonio also dominated the regular season and the NBA Cup meetings. However, the Thunder played much of the past season without Jalen Williams, their clear second-best player. His absence was a massive blow to their rotation and scoring options.
With Williams expected back healthy next season, many believe the balance of power could shift. The Thunder's core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Williams are all on maximum contracts, locking in their star talent. Their recent 1W-4L form, including that May 31 defeat, highlights how much they missed him. Check the latest player availability on our [injuries](/injuries) page.
How do the Spurs compare for the future?
San Antonio's future is incredibly bright, led by Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs have significant financial flexibility, partly because Wembanyama took a pay cut on his contract. Young talents like Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper haven't reached their peak potential yet. This gives them a major long-term advantage in terms of roster growth and cap space.
Still, the immediate championship window might belong to Oklahoma City's more established trio. The debate centers on whether San Antonio's higher ceiling outweighs OKC's current readiness. Both teams are widely seen as the two most promising franchises in the league for the long term. Their evolving rivalry is set to define the Western Conference for years.
What comes next for Oklahoma City?
The primary goal is getting Jalen Williams back to full strength for the start of next season. Integrating him back into a lineup featuring Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren will be the top priority. The front office must also navigate the financial constraints that led to the summer trades, potentially looking for value signings.
All eyes will be on the next Thunder-Spurs matchup to see if Oklahoma City can reverse the recent trend. Their ability to stay healthy will be the biggest factor in proving the coach's assessment correct. The team's performance in upcoming games, which you can find on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page, will tell the real story.
