Thunder, Spurs Poised for 60-Plus Wins for Years as 2 Young Cores Reshape the West
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 21
Thunder, Spurs Poised for 60-Plus Wins for Years as 2 Young Cores Reshape the West
6 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 21
Oklahoma City and San Antonio are framed as the West’s likely long-term powers, with both projected to keep winning 60-plus games deep into the next decade.
Their case starts with elite performance now: the Thunder posted a plus-11.1 scoring margin, the Spurs plus-8.3 overall and plus-20.6 with Victor Wembanyama on the floor, even after key injuries.
Both teams also closed like juggernauts — San Antonio went 28-2 in Wembanyama’s final 30 regular-season games, while Oklahoma City finished 19-1 and opened the playoffs 8-0.
Youth and roster flexibility strengthen that outlook: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is 27, Wembanyama 22, and both clubs still have workable cap structures despite future extension pressure.
Draft assets deepen the advantage, with Oklahoma City and San Antonio holding multiple outside first-round picks and swaps that can either add cheap talent or fund trades, leaving the rest of the conference facing a steep long-term hurdle.
SGA is the MVP, but Wembanyama's playoff performance was historic. Who is truly the NBA's best player right now?
Have the Thunder and Spurs created a winning blueprint or broken the NBA's competitive balance for the next decade?
With Wembanyama exposing a fatal flaw, is Oklahoma City’s dynasty dream already in jeopardy?