The OKC Thunder took care of business during the 2024-25 season, earning their first championship of the Sooner State era following a competitive, seven-game NBA Finals series against the Indiana Pacers.
Now, halfway through the first month of action during this follow-up 2025-26 campaign, it's more than apparent that they are favored to endure a similarly successful fate to that of last year's run.
However, reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander seems to think expectations may need to be raised for this team, as he revealed following Oklahoma City's 137-106 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday that he believes this year's roster is even "better."
"It feels like we're a better team," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "It feels like we've had a year to get better... Since the start of last year, we've had a year to play together... We're definitely a better team now than we were a year ago."
Thunder believe themselves to be 'a better team' than last year's squad
In 2024-25, the Thunder finished the regular season with a top-ranked 68-14 record, the fourth-most wins ever recorded in league history.
Despite playing in a highly competitive Western Conference and being hobbled by injuries throughout, Oklahoma City finished 16 games ahead of the second-place Houston Rockets in the standings and ran the postseason gamut to ultimate glory.
Now, merely four months after their epic title run, the Thunder find themselves surging early here in the new campaign.
Unsurprisingly, Gilgeous-Alexander is performing at his regular, all-world level, dropping sensational averages of 33.6 points, 5.9 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game on 52.6 percent shooting from the field.
As for the rest of the roster, injuries could prove to be an obstacle. Jalen Williams (wrist) and Chet Holmgren (back) are both currently out of the lineup while battling injuries.
However, their absences have allowed players like Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Hartenstein, for instance, to step up in big ways, as both are producing at near- or new-career highs.
Along with them, sophomore guard Ajay Mitchell finds himself playing through the early stages of a true breakout season, as he's averaging a whopping 17.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
As should already be known, Oklahoma City's roster depth is crucial to their success and presumed dynasty potential.
When healthy, Holmgren and Williams are stars who can help SGA in major ways. The Thunder are seemingly still true contenders even without those players, though, as general manager Sam Presti has built one of the most balanced rosters the NBA has to offer.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's comments are difficult to argue with. This Thunder team is a serious problem and could prove to be an even bigger challenge for teams than last year.