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 group advance to 2025 NBA Finals
The Thunder have been the most effective group 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 snug victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Thunder took simply 4 video games to dismantle Minnesota, with the Timberwolves remaining certainly one of 5 groups to by no means make the NBA Finals.
Whereas league MVP Shai Gileous-Alexander has performed an enormous function in his groups pleasure this yr, his younger teammates have proven expertise past their years this season.
OKC has the youngest group within the league this season, with the common age on its roster simply 25.6 years previous.
Not solely have they got the youngest group 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 group in NBA historical past to make the NBA Finals within the shot clock period
They’ve a mean age of 25.6 years previous ⛈️ pic.twitter.com/mMeuP1aoSt
— Underdog (@Underdog) Could 29, 2025
Draft picks might result in OKC Dynasty
Whereas the Thunder already has a youthful group, they may add much more younger superstars to their already proficient roster with some nice draft picks arising.
Following among 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
Nearly all of OKC’s upcoming draft picks got here from one commerce, which might 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 group.
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 greatest superstars, turning into certainly one 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 also be set to make his debut in 2025, with 6’6 guard Nikola Matter but to play within the NBA following a season-ending ACL damage previous to the draft.
