T.J. McConnell found himself in a tight spot during a critical moment in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. The veteran guard was cornered by the defense of Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso, two key acquisitions for the OKC Thunder under the leadership of Sam Presti. Despite his efforts to pass out of trouble, McConnell was unable to escape, leading to a turnover that set up a pivotal scoring opportunity for the Thunder.
In a swift turn of events, Hartenstein made a remarkable full-court pass to Cason Wallace, who scored a crucial layup, extending the Thunder’s lead in the game. This play exemplified the Thunder’s style of play, characterized by aggressive defense transitioning into fast-paced offense. With their youthful energy and speed, the Thunder went on to secure the 2025 championship, showcasing a level of dominance rarely seen in the league.
Led by Presti, the Thunder had defied expectations with their young roster, challenging the traditional norms of championship teams. Their success was built on a foundation of speed and tenacity, outpacing their opponents and setting a new standard for excellence in the NBA. Presti’s strategic vision and the team’s resilience had propelled them to victory, signaling a bright future ahead for the Thunder organization.
“We are determined to avoid cutting short our long runs,” Presti expressed. “Our goal is to make our return to the postseason not just an appearance but an arrival.” Indeed, the patient approach paid off as Gilgeous-Alexander, Daigneault, and the Thunder made a playoff appearance three seasons later in 2024. Fulfilling Presti’s vision, they didn’t just participate; they emerged victorious, clinching the NBA championship in only the core’s second postseason.
Presti’s strategy wasn’t about hastening the Thunder’s progress but rather stumbling upon the key ingredient ahead of others: speed. The Thunder’s speedball system came into the spotlight during Presti’s 2021 speech, where he highlighted their prowess in contesting three-point shots. Despite being young and inexperienced, the Thunder’s relentless effort and dedication set them apart, exemplified by their dominance in defensive statistics.
Dubbed as OKC’s speedball, the Thunder’s high-energy style and tenacious defense propelled them to cover a league-leading distance per game during the postseason. Their defensive pressure, marked by numerous deflections per game, showcased a culture built on effort and teamwork under Presti and Daigneault’s leadership.
The Thunder’s success wasn’t a stroke of luck but a result of meticulous planning and player development. They honed undrafted talents like Lu Dort into defensive stalwarts and unearthed hidden gems like Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. This commitment to nurturing young talent in a culture of energy and selflessness set the Thunder apart, paving the way for their remarkable journey to the championship.”
In 2023, a young player known for his defensive skills and averaging 11.7 points at Kentucky became a starter in the NBA Finals just before turning 22. The Thunder management specifically targeted players they believed could excel in Coach Daigneault’s challenging system. Throughout the season, the team played at a fast pace, ranking sixth in the league, and set a record for the largest turnover differential in NBA history. To achieve success, the Thunder had to innovate and rely on their youthful roster.
The shift towards a fast-paced game in the NBA, as highlighted by General Manager Presti in a press conference, has brought excitement to fans. However, the 2025 postseason, marred by injuries like Haliburton’s Achilles injury in Game 7, underscored the toll of the increased speed and spacing in the game.
The trend in the NBA is leaning towards younger players, with games now featuring over 100 possessions on average, a stark contrast to past eras dominated by older veterans. The demanding nature of the modern game is taking a toll on veteran players’ health, as seen in injuries to seasoned stars like Tatum, Lillard, Curry, Garland, and Mobley during the 2025 playoffs.
The NBA Finals showcased two young teams from the Gen Z era, emphasizing the shift towards youthful talent over experienced veterans. The Thunder, with an average age of 24.7, emerged as the youngest champions in nearly fifty years, while the Pacers, with an average age of 26.2, also proved the effectiveness of a youthful approach by defeating older teams like the Bucks, Cavs, and Knicks.
The Thunder’s strategy of building a young and energetic roster paid off, aligning with the league’s trajectory towards a faster game style. Youthful players tend to cover more ground and maintain higher speed levels than their older counterparts, as evidenced by tracking data. The Thunder’s success with their youthful squad may be difficult for other teams to replicate, as talented young players are usually tied to long-term contracts with their current teams.
Overall, the Thunder’s championship win symbolizes the league’s transition towards a more youthful and dynamic style of play, showcasing the importance of “young legs” in the evolving landscape of the NBA.
Becoming a superstar in free agency and assembling a championship-caliber team overnight is a challenging task. Acquiring a promising young player through trade comes with its own set of costs, as sacrifices must be made to secure valuable assets. Emulating the successful strategy of the Thunder requires consistently making savvy draft picks, a task easier said than done. Presti and his team have excelled in identifying and developing prospects, outperforming their counterparts in the league. The Thunder’s track record of selecting top talent, including stars like Durant, Westbrook, and Harden, has become the stuff of legend. They have also unearthed future All-Stars outside of the top 10 picks, demonstrating their keen eye for talent. In contrast, other teams, like the Rockets, have struggled to draft All-Star players during Presti’s tenure with the Thunder. The Thunder’s ability to identify and nurture young talent allows them to build a deep and talented roster without overburdening their key players. This approach was evident when Gilgeous-Alexander won Finals MVP while playing fewer minutes than usual for a championship team. By continuing to replenish their roster through the draft, the Thunder are well-positioned to dominate the league in the future. Unlike many champions who face financial constraints due to luxury tax payments, the Thunder have managed their roster efficiently and remain below the luxury tax threshold. This prudent financial management gives the Thunder flexibility in roster construction, allowing them to explore potential trades or acquisitions without being hindered by salary cap restrictions. Overall, the Thunder’s success on and off the court exemplifies a strategic and sustainable approach to building a championship team.
Despite having a player of Antetokounmpo’s caliber, the Thunder are unable to easily facilitate a trade due to salary constraints. This situation almost eliminates the possibility of a two-team deal. Nevertheless, Oklahoma City remains in a strong financial position, with ample resources available. As they anticipate facing financial challenges in the near future, the Thunder are currently well-prepared. With extensions for Holmgren and Williams looming in the 2026-27 season, followed by Gilgeous-Alexander’s significant extension starting in 2027-28, the team is in a comfortable position financially. The Thunder can afford these extensions, especially when considering that the MVP’s salary over the next two seasons will be lower than that of non-All-Stars such as Franz Wagner, OG Anunoby, and Jamal Murray.
With financial stability, Oklahoma City can operate with flexibility and strength. They have the option to pursue a superstar trade or focus on internal development. The Thunder currently hold a strong hand, with a promising roster, multiple draft picks, and potential for further acquisitions. Their collection of future first-round picks positions them favorably for future moves.
The Thunder could make significant moves in the upcoming draft, leveraging their current roster depth and draft picks to potentially move up in the selection order. By bundling their picks and possibly adding additional future picks, Oklahoma City could secure a higher draft position. This strategic approach could see them enter the top five picks without sacrificing key players from their 2025 NBA Finals squad.
Oklahoma City’s front office has shown patience and foresight in building the team’s foundation. While other teams may have pursued quick fixes or panicked in challenging situations, the Thunder have remained steadfast. Their commitment to their youthful core has proven successful, leading to an impressive performance in the 2025 NBA Finals and drawing admiration from across the league.
Looking ahead, the Thunder’s future appears bright. With a wealth of draft assets, a dynamic playing style, and emerging star talent, they are poised to establish themselves as a dominant force in the league. Despite their achievements, the Thunder have yet to fully unleash their potential, signaling a formidable challenge for other teams to keep pace with their rapid progress.
