The Boston Celtics marched to their 18th NBA championship this past season and are the odds-on favorites to repeat next June, but the Oklahoma City Thunder may have something to say about it.
Not just in 2025, but for the next several years.
Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale ranked all 32 teams in the NBA based on their championship windows for the next three seasons, and the Thunder came in at No. 1 on the list—ahead of the Celtics.
Favale isn’t necessarily saying that Oklahoma City is better than Boston, but that the Thunder’s youth—and superior financial situation—may ultimately be the deciding factor.
“If things get tight, the Thunder are the epitome of maneuverability,” Favale wrote. “They have a team option on Isaiah Hartenstein in 2027-28, zero bad contracts on the books and all the draft picks ever to either keep replenishing the rotation with cost-controlled contracts or to use as trade chips that address whatever needs or can’t-miss opportunities arise.”
Oklahoma City’s core is incredibly young, led by 26-year-old Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 23-year-old Jalen Williams and 22-year-old Chet Holmgren. Plus, defensive wiz Lu Dort is just 25.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics Updates
The Celtics’ duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown is young in its own right, but aging supporting cast members like Al Horford, Jrue Holiday and even Derrick White do make Boston’s longevity questionable.
Plus, Kristaps Porzingis—a top-three player on Boston when healthy—has a well-known injury history.
Are the Thunder the best team in the West heading into 2024-25?
The Thunder finished with the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference this past year, but were knocked out of the second round of the playoffs by the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavericks ultimately represented the West in the finals, but a world absolutely exists in which Oklahoma City could be playing basketball well into June next season.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics Updates
As a matter of fact, a legitimate argument can be made that the Thunder are actually the biggest threat to the Celtics given their combination of length and athleticism, areas in which Boston excels.
The Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving tandem will be tough to beat in Dallas, and the Anthony Edwards-led Minnesota Timberwolves may take another step forward.
However, when you examine OKC’s roster, it’s hard to look past the Thunder, especially after they added another defensive stalwart in Alex Caruso this offseason.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics Updates
One thing is for sure: Oklahoma City will be contending for NBA titles for the foreseeable future so long as the squad remains healthy.
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