Oklahoma City Thunder ownership ‘know what is coming’ says Sam Presti

Presti addresses the ownership group’s support for the Thunder

The Thunder’s ownership group is focused on helping the team continue OKC’s success. They have already committed $800 million for their trio of star players, which essentially cements their starting lineup and promising future.

Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning MVP and Finals MVP, so they have the superstar to build around. Holmgren and Williams are All-NBA-level players who will be with the team for the foreseeable future.

The team’s role players are committed to the project, but they could be replaced in the future. Presti is glad that the ownership group is helping him secure a strong future for the team. In his experience over the majority of the past two decades, he needs support.

Presti wants to sustain this success, as championship windows can suddenly close. There is no blueprint for success, which Jalen Williams spoke about. Now, he has the ownership group’s support, so he won’t need to do all the work.

“Our ownership group is fiercely committed to supporting the team, as we talked about, the mutual commitment component to a small market franchise,” Presti said in his extended preseason press conference.

“I think it’s extremely important that everyone is mutually committed and everybody understands this is coming.”

“We knew five years ago when we repositioned and replenished that team that if we were to ever get back to the postseason or exceed past being just an average playoff team, we would need the resources to support that. We saw that during the first mountain.”

The Thunder are the undisputed favorites to win the 2026 title

While it will be challenging to be the first team to repeat as champions since the 2018 Golden State Warriors, the Thunder are in a good position to do so. They have a young roster led by a superstar in his prime.

Coach Mark Daigneault has also proven he is one of the league’s best coaches. If he continues to lead the team’s defensive structure, the Thunder will be one of the top contenders again. Most people see the Denver Nuggets as their biggest rival because of their improved roster.

Former two-time champion Udonis Haslem has pointed out that a title defense is challenging, but he thinks the Thunder are good enough to compete. With the ownership group’s help, the Thunder are in a good position to prove him wrong.