The NBA has seen its fair share of dynasties over the years. The Michael Jordan led Chicago Bulls, the Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal led Los Angeles Lakers, and more recently the Golden State Warriors led by Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Kevin Durant (for three of those years).
To build a dynasty takes legendary levels of focus and precision. While the recent Warriors dynasty is looking to rise back into prominence with the addition of Jimmy Butler, many have speculated about which team could be next.
There was talk of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks once being the next dynasty after their 2021 championship, as well as Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets after their 2023 championship, but that hasn’t worked out so far.
However, it seems as though one team is currently making enough waves that a former NBA All-Star believes it could become the next dynasty.
DeMarcus Cousins Sees The Oklahoma City Thunder As The Next NBA Dynasty
While speaking on the “Run It Back” program on FDTV, host and former NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins put his support behind the Thunder as the next dynasty, citing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as a major reason why:
“I think this is the next team to start a dynasty. The reason I say that is they have so many assets for years to come on top of the talent that they already currently have.
“I think they’re just set up to dominate now and years forward. Honestly, I could see Shai getting about three rings. Honestly, three to four rings in his career.”
"SGA could get three or four rings during his career."
Boogie Cousins says the OKC Thunder will be the NBA's next dynasty 👀@MichelleDBeadle | @ChandlerParsons | @TeamLou23 | @BoogieCousins pic.twitter.com/PlOhmEJXxE
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) February 27, 2025
That’s a lofty prediction from Cousins, but this is the second season in a row that the Thunder will likely finish atop the Western Conference. If the Thunder can keep this momentum going, they could very well win an NBA championship this season.
Do the Thunder Have the Pieces to Build a Dynasty?
Sam Presti has stacked up draft picks for the last few seasons, leading everyone to wonder what his ultimate goal is. Since trading for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder has risen back into prominence.
This season, they are atop the Western Conference with a record of 47-11, which is good for the second-best record in the entire league behind the Cleveland Cavaliers. They have all the pieces they need to go far this season in the playoffs.
The health of Chet Holmgren will be integral in pushing the Thunder further, while impact players like Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, and Aaron Wiggins just need to keep contributing in the ways they have so far.
Gilgeous-Alexander is having the best season of his career, as he should be atop most MVP rankings currently. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.2 assists while shooting 52.4% from the field.
If the Thunder can maintain this level of play over the coming years while adding pieces to their team, the sky seems to be the limit for them. Could Cousins be correct in his prediction that the Thunder will be the next dynasty?
