The hands of fate delivered the Oklahoma City Thunder a unique opportunity to celebrate their championship glory and the progress that was required to realize their dream. 17 years after moving to Oklahoma City, the Thunder finally had the ring ceremony they've been building toward.
It was only fitting that three former franchise cornerstones were present to witness the success that they undoubtedly contributed to.
Oklahoma City hosted the Houston Rockets on opening night, with the ring cermeony for being crowned 2024-25 NBA champions preceding the encounter. Across the court were three former Thunder players: Steven Adams, Kevin Durant, and Jeff Green.
In a poetic moment, Adams and Green were seen watching as the Thunder accepted their championship rings.
Jeff Green and Steven Adams are out early to watch the Thunder get their rings. Pretty cool. pic.twitter.com/Txu0SyhdKA
— Joe Mussatto (@joe_mussatto) October 21, 2025
In the process, 17 years of building towards becoming the NBA champions officially came full circle for Sam Presti and the Thunder.
Steven Adams, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green were in OKC for ring ceremony
Adams was drafted by the Thunder in 2013 and spent seven seasons anchoring the interior. Green was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2007 and spent the better part of the franchise's first three years in Oklahoma City with the team.
Durant, meanwhile, won Oklahoma City's first MVP award and was the go-to player when the franchise made its first NBA Finals appearance under the Thunder moniker.
They may not have contributed directly to the current roster, but their success played a significant role in Presti's tenure taking hold. It was proof positive of the team-building strategy he utilized to construct the current rendition of the Thunder.
Moreover, those formative years in Presti's career as an executive taught him lessons that ultimately saved him from repeating past mistakes when building a contender.
The fact that three of the most important players in franchise history were present for the ring ceremony was thus fitting. Adams, Durant, and Green may not have won a title with the Thunder, but they're enduring figures in franchise history.
The fact that they were associated at all with a product that they helped lay the groundwork for is already one of the feel-good stories of the 2025-26 season.
Moving forward, the trio of former Thunder players will play a different role: That of a colossal roadblock. Oklahoma City's dream of winning a second consecutive championship will likely run through a Rockets team that appears ready to contend.
In the meantime, the Thunder have every reason to celebrate past success—both from 2024-25 and the seasons that preceded it.