Thunder Win Title, NBA Contenders Shift in Offseason

The Oklahoma City Thunder secured their first NBA championship since relocating from Seattle, powered by a 68-14 regular season and Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. With a young core and multiple first-round picks, the Thunder are actively looking to trade up in the 2025 NBA Draft to extend their championship window. In the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers are positioned as favorites for 2025-26 after avoiding major injuries and retaining their full roster, while the Detroit Pistons have emerged as contenders after a significant win increase and stable roster. The draft is expected to be headlined by Duke's Cooper Flagg, viewed as the clear front-runner for the No. 1 pick and Rookie of the Year honors. Meanwhile, teams like the Clippers are focused on integrating veteran leadership with new talent to address roster needs. The league is undergoing rapid change as contenders retool and new talent enters through the draft.