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Thunder Stuck Watching West Rivals Load Up—Again

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Svyato Rovenchuk | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 4:29 PM ET

The Oklahoma City Thunder went into the offseason comfortable with what they had after winning an NBA championship. Their competition, on the other hand, has been relentless in trying to catch up.

The Houston Rockets have been one of the primary teams attempting to close the gap on the Thunder. They made another move on Tuesday in hopes of doing so.

Shams Charania announced on Twitter/X, "Free agent forward Josh Okogie has agreed to a one-year, $3.1 million deal with the Houston Rockets, sources tell ESPN. Okogie enters his 8th NBA season and gives the Rockets another active wing defender who has averaged 6.3 points over 416 games."

Okogie joined the Charlotte Hornets via trade from the Phoenix Suns in the 2024-25 season. The Hornets clearly did not see him as a long-term fit, waiving him earlier in the 2025 NBA offseason.

This one move alone should not strike fear into the hearts of the Thunder organization. However, the overall offseason for the Rockets only improves with another capable body being added to the roster.

Two major foes emerging as real threats to OKC Thunder

With the Eastern Conference significantly weakened due to major injuries to the likes of Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum, it is a fair estimation to think whoever comes out of the West will be the heavy NBA title favorites. The Thunder should still be poised to do that.

However, the path to doing so has continued to get more difficult. The Rockets and the Denver Nuggets have both enjoyed excellent offseasons that should allow them to be serious threats in 2025-26.

The additions of Kevin Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Clint Capela loom large for the Rockets. Sprinkling in Okogie only adds to a sweet haul overall.

The Nuggets likely present the bigger threat of the two after pushing the Thunder to Game 7 in last year's NBA Playoffs. This is especially true after their impressive overhaul of Nikola Jokic's supporting cast.

Oklahoma City should still feel good heading towards 2025-26. However, it grows less and less comfortable of a position with the offseason marching forward.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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