As a lifelong Thunder fan I’ve experienced some serious ups and downs during my fandom. The highs have included reaching the 2012 NBA finals and reaching the Western Conference finals last season. The lows have included losing franchise cornerstones Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook to trades and free agency. Although no lows even compare to the infamous choke of a 3-1 lead in the 2016 Western Conference Finals to the Warriors. With all of these highs and lows ultimately the thunder underwent a stretch from 2020-2023 where the thunder possessed an abysmal 86-150 record. GM Sam Presti despite this horrendous record was putting in work through trades and free agency to elevate the Thunder back to their standard.
The Rebuild:
After trading and losing all of the franchise cornerstones the roster was young, cheap, and ultimately not in a position to win. The first blockbuster trade that began the rebuild was when Sam Presti decided to move on from Paul George. This trade in hindsight is one of the greatest trades in league history and sent the rebuild into full effect. Oklahoma City acquired five first round picks, four second round picks, Danilo Gallinari, and the leading candidate for this season’s MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. One of those first round picks was also used to draft first time all-star this season Jalen Williams out of Santa Clara University.
The Thunder in search of an anchor after losing Steven Adam’s drafted center Chet Holmgren, second overall in the 2022 draft. Chet has blossomed into a rising star in the league who has served as a defensive anchor and stretch big since being drafted. This past offseason Presti signed center Isaiah Hartenstein from New York to a 3 year $87 million dollar contract, assembling the twin towers with Chet Holmgren in the post. Other role player acquisitions include trading up to draft Cason Wallace in 2023, trading Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso this past offseason, drafting Aaron Wiggins in 2021, and acquiring Isaiah Joe after the Sixers waived him in 2022.
Where things stand today:
One of the league’s best cities and fanbases has been rejuvenated by this group and the Thunder are poised to make a deep run this postseason. After falling short last year in the Western Conference Finals to the Mavericks it showed the Thunder are legit despite being one of the league’s youngest cores. From a 22-50 season in 2020-21 featuring 2 young talents in SGA and Lu Dort to a 44-10 1st place in the West start in 2024-25, the Thunder have completed the dream rebuild.
Led by SGA (26), Jalen Williams (23), Chet Holmgren (22), Isaiah Hartenstein (26) and Lu Dort (25), the Thunder are set up to rule the west for years to come. The mix of All-Star talents and top of the line role players has allowed coach Mark Daigneault to play a plethora of electric lineup combinations. The Thunders mix of depth and stars is what has truly set them apart from the rest of the west this season. All of the Thunder nation are anxiously awaiting the playoffs and hope this group can be the first group to win a title since relocating from Seattle to Oklahoma City.
