When the Oklahoma City Thunder claimed the 2025 NBA championship, they did so on the back of one of the most dominant defensive campaigns in modern league history. Leading the NBA in steals, deflections, and forced turnovers, the ball club didn't just play defense -- they weaponized it.
While fans marveled at the team’s relentless, switch-everything system, few realized the true secret behind their success was an organizational obsession with wingspan.
General Manager Sam Presti has quietly but deliberately built Oklahoma City’s roster around one defining physical trait: prodigious length.
OKC Thunder roster uses length to their advantage
From the draft to free agency, Presti has consistently targeted players who boast wingspans that far exceed their listed height, creating a roster that overwhelms opponents with its collective reach.
The result is a defense that feels less like a standard NBA scheme and more like a maze of arms, where passing lanes shrink, shooters are smothered, and every drive to the rim is contested.
That length isn’t just cosmetic, but foundational to OKC’s identity. The Thunder switch seamlessly across multiple positions because nearly every player can guard up or down a spot.
Closeouts come faster, traps feel tighter, and deflections pile up until opponents are forced into late-clock heaves. It’s a defense designed to not only limit efficiency but also sap confidence, wearing down teams over the course of 48 minutes.
Just take a look at the roster.
Chet Holmgren (7-foot-1 with a 7-foot-6 wingspan) anchors the defense with elite rim protection, holding opponents to just 45.2% shooting at the rim.
The 6-foot-5 Jalen Williams, with his 7-foot-2 wingspan, earned All-Defensive honors with his ability to guard all five positions.
Defensive stud Cason Wallace measures in with a wingspan of over 6-feet, which leads to his ability to wreak havoc on the ball and in passing lanes.
If that wasn’t enough, their recent first-round pick Thomas Sorber continues this trend with a remarkable +9 wingspan advantage, foreshadowing his potential as another disruptive defender in OKC's system.
Presti’s emphasis on wingspan has also created a versatility that translates beyond defense.
Offensively, long players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet, and J-Dub use their size to finish through traffic, keep possessions alive on the glass, and stretch the floor while still offering rim protection on the other end.
In short, Presti has built a roster where length isn’t just an advantage, but, more specifically, the Thunder’s competitive edge.
This emphasis on length is a core tenet of "Presti Magic." While other GMs chase scoring or athleticism, Presti understands that wingspan is a multiplier for defensive impact and winning.
The strategy has been exploding in influence around the league. Teams like Orlando and Houston are championing these long, switchable rosters and following OKC's blueprint.
For Thunder fans, it's a reminder that championships aren't just built on flashy offense, but crafted through calculated, physical advantages that others overlook.
As long as Presti is calling the shots, this Oklahoma City defense will remain longer, smarter, and more disruptive than anything the league has seen.