The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder cruised into the NBA Finals this season for less than the second time in historical past, however this might simply be the start of a dynasty for one of many league’s youngest groups.
OKC’s younger crew advance to 2025 NBA Finals
The Thunder have been one of the best crew within the NBA this yr and after ending the common season atop the Western Convention, they continued their dominance deep into the playoffs.
On account of its continued success, OKC is now within the NBA Finals for the primary time since 2012 because of a cushty victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Thunder took simply 4 video games to dismantle Minnesota, with the Timberwolves remaining one in every of 5 groups to by no means make the NBA Finals.
Whereas league MVP Shai Gileous-Alexander has performed an enormous position in his groups pleasure this yr, his younger teammates have proven expertise past their years this season.
OKC has the youngest crew within the league this season, with the typical age on its roster simply 25.6 years outdated.
Not solely have they got the youngest crew within the league, however the Thunder additionally grew to become the youngest squad to ever advance to the Finals since 1976-77 – the second youngest in historical past.
The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder are the 2nd youngest crew in NBA historical past to make the NBA Finals within the shot clock period
They’ve a mean age of 25.6 years outdated ⛈️ pic.twitter.com/mMeuP1aoSt
— Underdog (@Underdog) Might 29, 2025
Draft picks may result in OKC Dynasty
Whereas the Thunder already has a youthful crew, they might add much more younger superstars to their already proficient roster with some nice draft picks arising.
Following a few of the most underrated trades in NBA historical past OKC now holds the keys to a possible dynasty.
Thunder draft picks
- 2025: 2 first spherical picks, 1 second spherical
- 2026: 2 first spherical choose, 1 second spherical picks
- 2027: 2 first spherical choose, 2 second spherical picks
- 2028: 1 first spherical choose, 3 second spherical picks
- 2029: 1 first spherical choose, 5 second spherical picks
The vast majority of OKC’s upcoming draft picks got here from one commerce, which may go down as among the finest in NBA historical past.
In 2019 the Thunder traded Paul George to the Clippers for Gilgeous-Alexander in addition to a historic quantity of draft picks to rebuild the crew.
Since then George has struggled within the league, with fixed accidents stopping the nine-time All Star from ever reaching the heights that he did with OKC in 2018-19.
Gilgeous-Alexander then again has developed into one of many league’s largest superstars, changing into one in every of simply 4 gamers within the final 20 years to win MVP and make the Finals in the identical season.
OKC’s first spherical choose from 2024 can be set to make his debut in 2025, with 6’6 guard Nikola Subject but to play within the NBA following a season-ending ACL damage previous to the draft.