Fresh Off Their NBA Championship, Oklahoma City Thunder Waste No Time Diving into Free Agency and Draft for 2025 Season Push

The Oklahoma City Thunder may still be basking in the glory of their newly minted NBA championship, but as every great franchise knows, success in this league is fleeting if you stand still. The Thunder organization, led by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti, isn’t waiting for the champagne to dry or the parade confetti to clear before locking in their focus on the next challenge—the 2025-26 NBA season.

The celebration was historic. Just weeks ago, Oklahoma City captured its first NBA title since relocating from Seattle, cementing themselves as the league’s newest dynasty in the making. Their triumph wasn’t just a product of raw talent but a testament to years of meticulous roster building, player development, and the bold vision Presti and head coach Mark Daigneault have cultivated.

But in the NBA, there’s no pause button. The offseason waits for no one, not even champions.

Free agency opened with fireworks across the league, and the Thunder were among the most active franchises—not just aiming to maintain their championship roster but to improve it. The organization understands that standing atop the NBA mountain is difficult, but staying there is even harder. The target on their back will only grow larger next season, with hungry contenders like the Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and Milwaukee Bucks retooling to dethrone the champs.

Oklahoma City entered the offseason with cap flexibility, strategic draft picks, and a young, versatile core that makes them both dangerous now and primed for sustainable success. The likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Josh Giddey form the nucleus of a team that’s not just built for one title run, but potentially several.

Gilgeous-Alexander, fresh off winning Finals MVP honors, has transformed into one of the most feared and consistent two-way guards in the league. His leadership on and off the floor, paired with his dazzling offensive arsenal, has made him the face of the franchise and one of the NBA’s premier superstars.

Chet Holmgren’s meteoric rise in his sophomore season was another catalyst behind the Thunder’s championship surge. The 7-foot unicorn proved doubters wrong, staying healthy and dominating both ends of the floor with shot-blocking, floor spacing, and remarkable versatility for a player his size.

With those cornerstones in place, Presti and the front office approached this summer determined to reinforce the roster without compromising the long-term vision. Their first big splash came just days into free agency, landing veteran wing Malcolm Brogdon on a two-year deal worth $42 million. Brogdon brings playoff experience, secondary playmaking, and perimeter defense—exactly the traits a championship team needs to withstand the grind of an 82-game season and another deep postseason run.

In addition to Brogdon, the Thunder secured backup big man Isaiah Hartenstein on a team-friendly three-year contract. Hartenstein, known for his interior toughness, rebounding, and screen-setting, provides valuable insurance behind Holmgren while strengthening OKC’s second unit.

But perhaps the most intriguing storyline this offseason has been the NBA Draft. Despite their championship status, Oklahoma City still possessed two first-round selections thanks to Presti’s masterful accumulation of assets over the years. With the No. 19 and No. 28 picks, the Thunder added promising young talent without disrupting their veteran foundation.

At No. 19, they selected Thomas Sorber, a bruising yet mobile center out of Villanova. Sorber’s blend of rim protection, interior scoring, and high motor fits seamlessly into Oklahoma City’s defensive identity. Though raw offensively, his upside as a physical force in the paint could be vital as the Thunder prepare for an inevitable clash with bigger, more experienced frontcourts next postseason.

Later in the first round, with the 28th pick, OKC selected Brooks Barnhizer, a versatile guard-forward hybrid from Northwestern. Barnhizer’s reputation as a tenacious defender and capable shooter makes him a logical addition to a team that prioritizes length, defensive versatility, and high basketball IQ.

While neither rookie is expected to carry significant responsibility immediately, their development will be closely monitored, as the Thunder have made it clear they’re committed to blending championship contention with long-term player growth—a formula that helped deliver their recent title.

Internally, Oklahoma City’s biggest offseason decision still looms: the future of guard Josh Giddey. The Australian playmaker is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and while he played an instrumental role during stretches of the Thunder’s championship run, questions remain about his long-term fit alongside Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren.

Giddey’s unique skill set—a 6-foot-8 frame, elite passing vision, and rebounding from the guard position—makes him an asset, but inconsistent shooting and defensive lapses at times created vulnerabilities in high-stakes matchups. The Thunder are reportedly exploring trade options but remain open to extending Giddey on a team-friendly deal if the right scenario materializes.

The front office also prioritized continuity by extending forward/center Jaylin Williams to a three-year, $24 million deal, replacing his previous $2.1 million team option. Williams’ hustle, physicality, and ability to space the floor from the frontcourt made him a fan favorite and crucial rotational piece, particularly during the Finals against the Celtics.

The Thunder’s calculated approach has garnered league-wide respect. Their ability to seamlessly navigate winning now while maintaining a war chest of draft picks and financial flexibility is rare in today’s NBA. Presti’s reputation as a draft savant and strategic operator continues to pay dividends, positioning Oklahoma City as the league’s model franchise.

Even as the dust settles on their championship parade, the organization remains laser-focused on improvement. The Western Conference is a gauntlet, with teams like the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, and Golden State Warriors eager to reload. Upstarts like the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings are knocking on the door, hungry to unseat the champs.

But Oklahoma City isn’t interested in being a one-hit wonder. The franchise’s mission is clear—establish a dynasty, maximize their young core’s potential, and remain a fixture atop the NBA landscape for years to come.

The 2025-26 season promises to be as competitive as ever. But if this summer is any indication, the Thunder aren’t content resting on their laurels. With shrewd free agency moves, impactful draft additions, and a championship-caliber foundation already in place, Oklahoma City enters next season not just as defending champions—but as favorites to do it all over again.

The celebration may be over, but the work has only just begun. The Thunder are ready.