Over recent years, every NBA champion, whether it be the Denver Nuggets or the Boston Celtics, has produced memorable runs on their way to lifting the silverware. Yet, despite their accomplishments, there were rarely expectations for those teams to evolve into long-lasting dynasties. However, the narrative has shifted significantly ever since the Oklahoma City Thunder lifted the Larry O’Brien trophy in 2025.
For the first time in recent memory, there is a genuine belief that a new dynasty could be on the horizon. Scottie Pippenis the latest to join that bandwagon, as he wholeheartedly shared his appreciation for Sam Presti’s work and the ability of the franchise’s front office to lock down their core members for future years.
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Pippen has high hopes for the Thunder
One of the core defining characteristics of every dynasty in NBA history has been the unwavering faith shown by the front office in its core group of players, even in the face of crushing defeats.
For instance, in the late 1980s, when the Chicago Bulls consecutively fell short against the Detroit Pistons “Bad Boys”, they did not dismantle the core; instead, management doubled down on its belief in Michael Jordan, Pippen and Horace Grant, which led to that iteration of the Bulls winning a three-peat.
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Similarly, when the Miami Heat were upset by the Dallas Mavericks, Pat Riley did not break the core of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh — he gave them more time to build their chemistry and chase titles consecutively. The Golden State Warriors followed the same formula after their heartbreaking loss in the 2016 Finals. They did not trade either Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, or Klay Thompson; instead, they made the dedicated effort to acquire Kevin Durant to bolster their championship prowess.
In much the same way, Presti and the Thunder office have shown remarkable faith in the young Thunder core. Despite the team missing the playoffs for three consecutive seasons and then losing out in the second round despite being the No. 1 seed in the West, they did not rush things. They allowed the young guys to gel even better by bringing in a championship-winning veteran in Alex Caruso and experienced big man Isaiah Hartenstein.
As a result, now that the Thunder won the title, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are all locked down to a combined extension of over $800 million, making sure that the core has enough motivation and trust to chase titles diligently. For Pippen, this commitment demonstrates all the hallmarks of a potential powerhouse for the years to come.
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“Yes, it’s possible,” Scottie answered when questioned if the current Thunder team can become a dynasty. “They’re young, the sky’s the limit. They have all their players signed. They’re going to be the team to beat this season, that’s for sure.”
The Thunder need to prove they weren’t a one-season wonder
That said, one should not forget the NBA’s unforgiving nature. Just as quickly as a team can rise to the pinnacle, setbacks can bring it down.
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So, if the Thunder fail to defend their title this season or fall short of another Finals appearance, media pressure and fan impatience could mount, forcing the front office into premature moves. That is why this young Thunder team may need to draw lessons from Pippen and his Bulls of the 1990s if they want to replicate some of their success.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.