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The biggest NBA news of the offseason has to be LeBron James’ decision to play for the 76ers this year. There had been rumors that one of the greatest of all time might even hang up his sneakers, but James will now play at least one season in Philadelphia, news that drastically changed the Sixers’ chances of winning a championship.
The New York Knicks are the current holders of the NBA title, of course, after blitzing through the playoffs and San Antonio in the finals to claim a first title in over 50 years. If you are interested in online gambling in Oklahoma, all of the teams so far mentioned will be on your radar. MyTopSportsbooks is the place to go for sports betting information, but it is the Thunder who can also go all the way this year.
OKC was expected by many to go back-to-back last season, but came unstuck against the Spurs in the Western Conference finals. So, with some teams welcoming new arrivals and others boasting stacked rosters already, how can the Thunder still be considered a favorite to win the title?
Core Talent
The obvious reason why the OKC Thunder will be at least a contender in the season ahead is that it has retained an incredibly strong core, despite a number of offseason departures. Leading the way is two-time and reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA is the beating heart of the team and will be gunning for a third MVP title this year.
Chet Holmgren has lived up to every expectation fans had of him coming out of the college game, and has developed into an elite rim-protector in the NBA. Players like Jalen Williams coming back fit and healthy also provide the Thunder with a core that can take on any team in the league.
Regular Season Domination
OKC has won 132 regular season games in the last two years. That kind of dominance does not disappear overnight, and there is every reason to believe that the Thunder can completely take over the Western Conference again. Winning games is just a part of this team’s DNA.
Consistently ranked near the top on both offense and defense, there is not a weak link in the Thunder’s play. Although last season’s 64-win performance obviously didn’t translate into a second championship, that kind of regular season experience already puts OKC in a formidable position.
Room for Improvement
With the range of talent on the Thunder roster, it seems impossible that this team will not challenge for a title this year. But the most exciting aspect for the fans is that there is still room for the team to grow. There have been a number of cost-cutting departures, allowing for future recruitment.
Unlike most other title-winning franchises, OKC remains in the position to utilize future draft picks and tradeable salary assets. This gives the Thunder a lot of room when it comes to potential mid-season trades. Elite players regularly get frustrated with their teams, and the Thunder is in the position to swoop in if needed.
Offseason Departures Not a Problem
It cannot be denied that there has been some serious talent leaving OKC during this current offseason. Trading away players to avoid the second apron will be annoying for the fans, but those exits will do little to change the Thunder’s chances of winning the title again this year. There is plenty of talent in reserve.
Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe will both be missed, and losing Lu Dort to Atlanta will be a blow. But none of them is irreplaceable. Wiggins and Joe struggled in the playoffs last season, and it could be argued that even Dort’s offensive game had declined recently. Players like Cason Wallace, Jared McCain, and Ajay Mitchell now have the opportunity to step up and fill the talent gap.
LeBron is Helping
Although it came as something of a surprise that LeBron James would be moving to the city of brotherly love, a move to OKC was never on the cards. That doesn’t mean that his decision does not benefit the Thunder, however. If anything, LeBron in Philly only strengthens OKC’s chances of glory.
Firstly, LeBron now playing for an Eastern Conference team makes it easier for any team in the West to make the playoffs and progress. There is a LeBron James-shaped hole that will not be able to be filled by the Lakers. His presence in the East will also make that conference’s playoffs even more of a slog, making any Eastern Conference champion less ready for a potential Finals series against the Thunder.
OKC: Champions in 2027
It shows how much was expected of OKC last year that not making it to the NBA Finals was regarded as a major shock. After another year of dominance in the Western Conference – and another 60+ win regular season – only the brilliance of Wemby in a grueling Conference Finals stopped the Thunder from playing for a title again.
There have been a few players leaving in this offseason, but the truth is that nothing has really changed. SGA is still a formidable player and will be leading an experienced and talented starting five, with strength on the bench backing them up. LeBron leaving the West shakes up the whole conference, while making navigating the East much more difficult.
Anything can happen during the course of a long NBA regular season, of course. But there is really no reason why the Thunder cannot come back even stronger and compete. There is no reason why OKC will not be championship winners again.
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