The OKC Thunder just won their first NBA Championship, and are running things back in 2025-26 with a roster of players who accounted for 99.2 percent of the minutes logged during their playoff journey last season.
As a result, they are heading into the upcoming campaign as clear favorites to run it back.
However, despite this team clearly being on the verge of a dynasty as currently constructed, there's a small sect of fans who are still longing to see Russell Westbrook and, admittedly, to a lesser degree, Kevin Durant make their way back to Oklahoma City to close out their careers and finally be a part of ultimate success out in the Sooner State.
Such a happening would be quite the storybook ending to each of their legendary careers -- especially when it comes to The Brodie's return --, though, sadly, at this point, it seems highly unrealistic.
That said, based on recent rumblings, this once ferocious duo still seems to have the potential to reunite, even as soon as this coming season, though, unfortunately for the Thunder faithful, it may take place with one of their biggest conference rivals.
Former Thunder stars could reunite on Houston Rockets this season
Ever since news broke last month that Rockets star Fred VanVleet tore his ACL and, in turn, is expected to miss the entirety of the 2025-26 season, discussions over who could fill the team's void at point guard have been all the rage.
Considering he's both the most accomplished and, frankly, still most productive of the current crop of available free agents, Westbrook has been tabbed as a possible option for Houston GM Rafael Stone to consider pursuing.
For the longest time, this particular hypothetical has merely been speculative chatter, primarily discussed among media pundits and keyboard warriors.
That is, of course, until Durant, the newly arrived Rockets star, dropped his two cents in on the possible signing during a recent appearance on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams, where he publicly shared that he'd be interested in another opportunity to play alongside Westbrook.
"Russ is a legend. I think he deserves to be in the NBA right now and I think he deserves to walk out of the NBA on his own terms. That would be dope," Durant said.
As things currently stand, the Rockets, who were already the number two seed last season before KD's arrival, sport the fifth-best odds of taking home the Larry O'Brien Trophy this season (+1200) and are the second-biggest threat to dethrone the Thunder out in the Western Conference behind Denver (+750).
This, of course, is without having a replacement option for VanVleet in place.
Adding a player who not only just dropped impressive all-around averages of 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game while coming off the pine for the 50-win Nuggets last season, but has a proven track record of excelling alongside Durant (went to four Western Conference Finals and an NBA Finals while serving as teammates) is far from a poor pivot plan for the ball club.
Because of this, there actually seems to be a realistic chance that Thunder fans may finally see a reunion of Durant and Westbrook before their playing careers come to an end.
Sadly, however, it may just come while playing for one of the biggest threats to their repeat bid.