After several years of being on the cusp of achieving ultimate glory, the OKC Thunder have finally thrust themselves past that final hurdle and into the beginning stages of a full-blown dynasty, as they've officially won the 2025 NBA Finals.
Though excitement and enthusiasm may be at an all-time high out in Oklahoma City, with their 4-3 series win over the Indiana Pacers in the books, it now officially kicks off the 2025 NBA offseason, a time where many expect Sam Presti and company to be rather active.
From lofty contract extensions to seeing a potential total of three incoming rookies, the Thunder are destined to see several shake-ups take place between now and the start of the 2025-26 season.
However, in order to see such happenings take shape, considering the current state of the team, it's safe to assume that, even just to make room on the bench, several individuals will not be returning to the organization next year, and there are a few specific players who most likely suited up in the blue, orange, and yellow threads for their final time during Sunday's championship-clincher.
Thunder players who may have officially played final game with OKC
Dillon Jones
Despite coming into the season with considerable buzz attached to his name due to his versatility and recent first-round draft status, Dillon Jones served as somewhat of a non-factor in his rookie season with the Thunder.
Throughout the campaign, on top of rotating in and out of the G League, the forward saw himself coming across just 10.2 minutes a night with the varsity team while tallying a mere 2.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 54 games played.
Now, granted, there were a few occasions where Jones managed to show flashes of potential during his debut year with OKC, most notably during their final two games of the regular season where he averaged 10.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals on 57.1 percent shooting from the floor and 60.0 percent shooting from deep.
With that said, considering the Thunder are looking to be in a win-now mode for at least the next decade and already have a ton of players ahead of him on the depth chart as is, the idea of keeping the intriguing, albeit raw and in-need of development talents of Dillon Jones may not be the most desirable course of action this summer, especially if they can swap him out for more draft capital.
Ousmane Dieng
In some ways, Ousmane Dieng is a perfect example of what could become of Dillon Jones if they decide to hold onto him for too long.
The forward was a first-round selection of the franchise back in 2022, who came into the association sporting highly regarded athleticism and a polarizing upside that seemed to range anywhere from end-of-bench player to a prominent two-way stud.
Throughout his three seasons in Oklahoma City, the former label sadly seems to be the most accurate descriptor of the Frenchman.
At just 22 years old (over a year younger than Jones, mind you), there may still be hope for Dieng to turn his career around and find a way to tap into his natural all-around skill set that spearheaded the charge to a 2023 G League Championship with the OKC Blue.
In 42 career games played with the development team, the 6-foot-9 youngster has posted impressive stat sheet stuffing averages of 17.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists on 47.2 percent shooting from the floor.
Unfortunately, at this point, it's rather evident that staying put with the Thunder won't bring him any closer to unlocking his untapped potential.
While his possible return value may have significantly dropped with every passing year he's been in the league, perhaps this summer will be the time when Sam Presti finally parts ways with his passion project prospect.
Ajay Mitchell
Of all the possible departees from this title-winning Thunder team, Ajay Mitchell's removal from the roster would without a doubt be the one that would hurt the most.
Had injuries not derailed his debut season in the league, there's a strong case to be made that the 22-year-old would have wrapped up as an All-Rookie Team selection and, quite possibly, in the running for Rookie of the Year.
Mitchell finished 2024-25 off by ranking first among his class in both defensive rating (100.2) and net rating (9.7), and fifth in three-point percentage (38.3) out of those who had played in 30 or more games.
Prior to his mid-season toe injury that required him to undergo surgery and miss three months of action, the guard had also established himself as a regular within coach Mark Daigneault's top-seeded rotation.
While he's by far the most accomplished player mentioned on this list and is revered as yet another example of Sam Presti's late-round draft day expertise, frankly, it's simultaneously true that if OKC wishes to make room on the roster for any of their three selections this June or any other coveted offseason addition, the rookie's contract would be the easiest for them to part ways with.
As things currently stand, all 15 players on Oklahoma City's roster are technically under team control for next season, with Mitchell becoming the final player to receive this distinction after signing his two-year deal with the club in February.
Mitchell's pact specifically comes with a club option for 2025-26, which, in the event that the Thunder once again chose to not trade away any of their players this summer (a theme from this front office over the last several years), could easily be used to create a much-needed vacancy without costing them a dime in the process.
Hopefully, OKC can find a way to carve out an open spot on the roster without being forced to part ways with their steal of a second-round selection from last year's draft.
Until they do, though it may be difficult to accept, the simplest method of doing so would be to decline the second year of Mitchell's deal.