22
Sep
Team Profile
Oklahoma City Thunder: Five things you need to know
Highlights
NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder ready to build the NBA’s next dynasty
- Dynamic offense led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Defensive anchor Chet Holmgren in his second season
- One of the NBA's youngest rosters with massive potential
The Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the most exciting professional basketball teams in the National Basketball Association. Coming off the back of winning their second Championship in 2025, the Thunder’s young core led by league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is aiming to build a dynasty. For over four decades the franchise was based in Seattle, delivering a title in 1979 led by Hall of Famers Dennis Johnson and Jack Sikma. Since 2008 the franchise has called Oklahoma home and have fielded some of the most iconic teams of the 21st century including their 2012 squad featuring, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Home Arena: Paycom Center
Year Founded: 1967 (as Seattle SuperSonics)
Championships: 1 (1979 as SuperSonics)
Major Rivals: Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks
2024-25 NBA Season Summary
- Record: 68-14
- Finish: 1st seed (NBA Champions)
- All-Star Selections: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams
The Thunder had a dominant 2024/25 season, playing a brand of basketball that frustrated opponents and systematically broke down star-studded teams in the playoffs. Almost six years on from the trade that was supposed to deliver the Clippers a championship, the ascension of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to league MVP and Finals MVP in 2025 proved just how genius general manager Sam Presti has been with his business. A huge feature of the Thunder’s 2025 season was their fourth ranked offence which had a knack for piling on the points. However, it was OKC’s third ranked defence which separated them in the NBA Finals with their gritty, physical and disruptive defence proving too much for the Indiana Pacers multi-faceted offence.
Offseason Moves
Re-signings
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander agrees to 4-year extension
- Chet Holmgren agrees to 5-year extension
- Ajay Mitchell returns on 3-year deal
- Jalen Williams agrees to 5-year extension
- Jaylin Williams agrees to 3-year extension
Departures
- Dillon Jones departs via trade with the Wizards
Becoming the second youngest NBA team to win an NBA Championship, how could you not spend around $750 million guaranteeing the future of the young core that got you there. Locking down league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for four years, and young stars Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams for five, could prove the start of what will become the NBA’s next dynasty.
Bringing back the likes of Ajay Mitchell and Jaylin Williams ensures the continuity of two valuable rotational players who have played a crucial role in the player culture built over the years at the Thunder. With an average age standing at 25.6, the philosophy adopted by Sam Presti years ago in acquiring a stack of draft picks serves to contrast an NBA trend where star studded lineups were the path to a triumphant end.
The rapid rise of this young team under one of the league’s youngest head coaches, Mark Daigneault, is an anomaly. Anchored by defensive juggernauts Luguentz Dort, Alex Caruso, Chet Holmgren and many more, the Thunder’s robust defence has been the product of a plethora of under the radar acquisitions from past seasons. The quiet offseason on the additions front suggests that the front office is fully invested in preserving the powerhouse roster that's taken its prime shape.
2025-26 Predicted Lineup
- Point Guard: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Shooting Guard: Luguentz Dort
- Small Forward: Jalen Williams
- Power Forward: Chet Holmgren
- Centre: Isaiah Hartenstein
Australians who played for Oklahoma City Thunder
Josh Giddey: Born in Melbourne, Victoria, Giddey was selected by the Thunder with the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He played for Oklahoma City from 2021 to 2024, showcasing exceptional playmaking abilities and versatility. In June 2024, Giddey was traded to the Chicago Bulls.
Alex Ducas: Born in Geraldton, Western Australia, Alex Ducas signed a two-way contract with the Thunder in 2024. Ducas was a part of the 2025 NBA Champion Thunder team making him the ninth Australian to win an NBA title. Ducas has since signed with the Brisbane Bullets for the 2025 NBL season.
History of the Oklahoma City Thunder
Starting out as the Seattle SuperSonics in 1967, the team built a strong identity through the 1970s on their way to winning three Western Conference titles and an NBA Championship in 1979. Defeating Wes Unseld’s Washington Bullets in five games was a huge milestone that set the franchise up for a highly competitive end to the century. Later led by Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton the SuperSonics were a powerhouse through the 90s making the NBA Finals in 1996 where they lost to Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls.
The franchise relocated to Oklahoma in 2008 and rebranded as the Oklahoma City Thunder. Being a relatively young franchise, the Thunder have already left their mark on NBA history. The Kevin Durant/Russell Westbrook era saw Oklahoma City emerge as a perennial contender, reaching the NBA Finals in 2012. Even after Durant's departure, Westbrook's MVP season in 2016-17 gave Thunder fans an unforgettable year.
The current iteration of the Thunder is writing its own legacy. After a brief rebuild, OKC has returned to the playoffs ahead of schedule. In 2025 led by MVP Shai Gilgeous Alexander, the Thunder edged the Indiana Pacers in a seven-game series to claim the NBA title. The 2025 Thunder became the second-youngest team in NBA history to win a title, outclassing contenders like Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets and Anthony Edwards’ Timberwolves on the way to championship glory.
Identity
The Thunder have established an identity as a young, athletic team that plays at a fast pace. Head coach Mark Daigneault has implemented an up-tempo offence that leverages the team's speed and shooting ability. Defensively, the Thunder aim to be disruptive, using their length and quickness to generate turnovers and transition opportunities.
Oklahoma City's playing style is built around the talents of All-Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA's elite shot creation and playmaking skills allow him to orchestrate the offence, while his improved outside shooting keeps defences honest. The addition of Chet Holmgren gives OKC a versatile big man who can protect the rim and space the floor.
The Thunder organisation has cultivated a strong team culture focused on player development. They've shown a willingness to be patient with young talent, allowing prospects like Jalen Williams to play through mistakes and grow. This approach has accelerated the team's rebuilding process.
Five Fast Facts:
- The Thunder have made the playoffs 12 times since moving to Oklahoma City in 2008
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won the MVP and Finals MVP in the 2024-25 season
- OKC has accumulated one of the largest stockpiles of future draft picks in NBA history
- The Thunder set an NBA record for largest margin of defeat, losing by 73 points to Memphis in 2021
- Despite being one of the NBA's smallest markets, the Thunder consistently rank in the top half of the league in attendance
Club Timeline
- 2008: Franchise relocates from Seattle to Oklahoma City
- 2010: Thunder makes first playoff appearance in Oklahoma City
- 2012: Reach NBA Finals, falling to Miami Heat
- 2016: Kevin Durant departs in free agency
- 2019: Russell Westbrook traded, beginning to rebuild
- 2024: Return to playoffs as Western Conference's #1 seed
- 2025: Win first ever NBA Championship
