Unknown date 1995; Portland, OR, USA: FILE PHOTO; Phoenix Suns forward Charles Barkley (34) reacts against the Portland Trail Blazers at Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images Imagn Images

Charles Barkley Predicts Winner Of 2025 NBA Finals

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Ben Stinar | Last updated May 16, 2025 12:14 AM ET

The Oklahoma City Thunder had an incredible regular season where they were the first seed in the Western Conference with a 68-14 record.

They have a loaded roster full of young talent that led to Sam Presti being named as the 2024-25 Executive of The Year.

Via NBA Communications: "Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti has been named the 2024-25 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year.

Presti earns the annual honor for the first time after building a team that led the NBA at 68-14, tied for the sixth-best record ever."

Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti has been named the 2024-25 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year.

Presti earns the annual honor for the first time after building a team that led the NBA at 68-14, tied for the sixth-best record ever. pic.twitter.com/lu1U7hEWJZ
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 6, 2025

Recently, Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley predicted that the Thunder would win the 2025 NBA Championship.

Barkley (via the NBA on TNT): "This is the best defensive team in the NBA... I think that team is going to win the championship."

The Thunder beat the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA playoffs (in four games).

Via Bleacher Report: "THUNDER BLOW OUT GRIZZLIES BY 51 PTS

Largest margin of victory EVER in a Game 1"

THUNDER BLOW OUT GRIZZLIES BY 51 PTS

Largest margin of victory EVER in a Game 1 pic.twitter.com/2fPykDKRbv
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 20, 2025