For the majority of the 2025-26 season, most had safely prognosed the Oklahoma City Thunder to repeat as NBA champions. After the Thunder went 8-0 in their first two playoff series, sweeping both the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers, that was still the outcome many had penciled in for June. That was until the San Antonio Spurs tossed out the script.
The Spurs were a thorn in the side of the Thunder all season. However, San Antonio had never been to the NBA Playoffs with this new core. Typically, that means something. Typically, a young team does not have the type of success in the postseason the Spurs have. None of that mattered.
It was San Antonio, not Oklahoma City, who punched their ticket to the NBA Finals after a competitive seven-game series in the Western Conference Finals. With the Thunder now in offseason mode, Marc Stein warned readers about the added motivation OKC has to reassert themselves as a force.
"No one expects the Thunder to just stand pat now after going a stunning 4-8 this season against the Spurs ... and with a payroll heading for the dreaded second apron of the NBA's luxury tax system. [Sam] Presti, remember, has also always been decisive when he needs to be."
Lakers will need to close the gap on an improved Thunder team next season
There is already a noticeable gap between the Thunder and Lakers. At present, that mostly comes down to the depth of both rosters. Rob Pelinka has a lot of work to do in that depratment over the summer.
Depending on what comes next for the Thunder, this may no longer be as simple as bolstering the supporting cast of the Lakers. The gap may widen before it shrinks.
In order to reassert themselves back above San Antonio, Oklahoma City will be armed with draft picks and trade assets. While Stein said to not to expect a Giannis Antetokounmpo-sized move from the Thunder, changes are coming.
They always were, in any case, given OKC's coming financial hurdles. However, the goal in Oklahoma City now goes from tinkering a bit to remain the best to reestablishing their position at the top. One of those naturally invites a much more aggressive approach.
That is especially true considering the Spurs are not exactly going to stay stagnant either. It is tough to believe Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, and company are the best versions of themselves now. They are bound to improve.
For the Lakers, that might mean going above and beyond what their initial offseason plans were. With one ascending powerhouse being joined by another motivated and hungry juggernaut in their conference, that work is going to be easier said than done.
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