The Oklahoma City Thunder of the early 2010s is remembered as one of the most talented young teams in NBA history. With Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden all on the same roster, many believe OKC had the foundation for a dynasty. In fact, the franchise is often defined by how it lost three MVPs in just three seasons, a downfall that remains one of the league’s greatest “what if” stories.
Yet only a few years later, all three were gone, and the franchise’s “what if” status became one of the NBA’s biggest talking points. Did the Thunder actually lose the greatest core ever assembled?
The Rise Of The Thunder’s Big Three
By 2012, the trio had already reached the NBA Finals, where they fell to the Miami Heat’s “Big Three.” It seemed like just the beginning.
The James Harden Trade: The Beginning of the End
In 2012, Thunder management controversially decided to trade James Harden to the Houston Rockets rather than pay him a max extension. The return package — Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, and draft picks — never came close to replacing Harden’s value.
At the time, Harden was still developing. But in Houston, he blossomed into an MVP, three-time scoring champ, and the face of an entire franchise.
That trade shifted OKC from a dynasty-in-the-making to a “two-star” team, and it became the most second-guessed move in modern NBA history.
Kevin Durant’s Departure From Oklahoma City Thunder In 2016
Despite Westbrook’s heroics and Durant’s consistent brilliance, the Thunder couldn’t break through for another Finals appearance. In 2016, after blowing a 3–1 lead to Golden State in the Western Conference Finals, Durant left to join the Warriors.
That single move reshaped the NBA landscape. Golden State became an unstoppable juggernaut, while Oklahoma City was left reeling. For many, this marked the start of endless debates about whether Kevin Durant is the most unstoppable scorer in NBA history.
Russell Westbrook’s Lone Era At Thunder
After Durant’s departure, Westbrook went on a historic tear, averaging a triple-double for three straight seasons and winning MVP in 2017. But without Harden and Durant, OKC couldn’t advance past the first round consistently.
Westbrook carried the weight of the franchise during that period, playing with passion and intensity, but also reflecting on his raw emotions after Kevin Durant’s shocking exit from OKC. Eventually, even Westbrook was traded away in 2019, officially closing the book on the Thunder’s legendary core.
Arguments for yes:
All three players became MVPs after leaving OKC.Few franchises have ever drafted three future MVPs in consecutive years.With better financial decisions, the Thunder could have dominated the 2010s.
Arguments against:
Injuries (like Westbrook in the 2013 playoffs) and timing played a role beyond front-office control.The Spurs, Warriors, and LeBron’s Heat were also historically great teams.Chemistry and egos might not have allowed all three to thrive together in the long run.The Legacy Of The Thunder’s Big Three
The Harden-Durant-Westbrook era is remembered as both a triumph of drafting and a cautionary tale of what happens when ownership prioritizes short-term savings over long-term dynasty building.
They may not have won multiple titles together, but their legacy as the greatest “what if” core in NBA history is undeniable.
Quick FAQ
Q: Did the Thunder really have three MVPs on one roster?
Yes. Durant, Westbrook, and Harden all won MVPs later in their careers.
Q: Why did OKC trade James Harden?
They didn’t want to pay him a max extension due to luxury tax concerns.
Q: Did Kevin Durant leave OKC in free agency?
Yes. He joined the Golden State Warriors in 2016.
Q: Was this the greatest young core in NBA history?
Many analysts argue yes, though others cite dynasties like the Spurs or Warriors.
The post Did The Oklahoma City Thunder Lose The Greatest Core Ever? Revisiting Harden, Durant, And Westbrook originally published on Total Pro Sports.