The NBA Finals of 2025 has been a captivating spectacle, showcasing the future of the league in real-time. As the Oklahoma City Thunder stand on the brink of capturing their first NBA championship as a franchise (and first since the Seattle SuperSonics won in 1979), a remarkable historical parallel emerges. If the Thunder can close out the series either on Thursday or Sunday, they will become the youngest team by average age to win an NBA title since the 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers. This isn’t merely a statistical anomaly; it’s a testament to the meticulous long-term vision of General Manager Sam Presti and the extraordinary talent and accelerated development of his young core.
The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the 2024-25 NBA season with an average age of approximately 24.1 years old, making them one of the youngest rosters in the entire league. This youth movement isn’t accidental; it’s the culmination of years of strategic drafting, patient development, and shrewd asset management by Presti. Their core players embody this youth:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26 years old): The undisputed leader and MVP candidate, SGA has matured into one of the league’s most dominant offensive forces, showcasing elite scoring, playmaking, and defensive instincts. Despite being the oldest of the core, he’s still firmly in his prime.
- Chet Holmgren (23 years old): The towering, versatile center who missed his entire rookie season due to injury, Holmgren has burst onto the scene as a legitimate two-way star. His rim protection, shooting range, and passing vision at his size are truly unique.
- Jalen Williams (24 years old): “J-Dub” has proven to be a sensational second-year player, demonstrating remarkable efficiency, clutch scoring, and defensive tenacity. His smooth game and quiet confidence complement SGA perfectly.
- Luguentz Dort (26 years old): The defensive anchor, Dort brings relentless energy, physicality, and a willingness to guard the opponent’s best player, even while expanding his offensive game.
- Cason Wallace (21 years old): The rookie point guard has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly on the defensive end, demonstrating maturity beyond his years.
- Ousmane Dieng (22 years old): Still developing, Dieng represents another high-upside young piece acquired through the draft.
This core, along with valuable role players like Isaiah Joe (25), Aaron Wiggins (26), and veteran additions like Alex Caruso (30) and Isaiah Hartenstein (27), has created a blend of youthful exuberance, raw talent, and just enough veteran savvy to navigate the rigors of a championship season. Their journey to the NBA Finals was not one of incremental growth; it was a meteoric rise, culminating in a dominant regular season where they secured the top seed in the Western Conference with a 68-14 record. This was the youngest team to ever win 68 games in a single regular season.
To understand the historical significance of the Thunder’s potential achievement, one must look back to the 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers. That team, led by the incomparable Bill Walton, captivated the league with their selfless, fast-paced, and defensively stifling style of play. They upset the heavily favored Philadelphia 76ers, led by Julius Erving, in the NBA Finals, coming back from a 2-0 deficit to win in six games.
The average age of the 1976-77 Trail Blazers roster was approximately 24.5 years old. Their core players included:
- Bill Walton (24 years old): The Finals MVP, Walton was the fulcrum of their offense and defense, a dominant rebounder, passer, and shot-blocker. His unique skillset was ahead of its time.
- Maurice Lucas (25 years old): The “Enforcer,” Lucas provided toughness, scoring, and rebounding, serving as the team’s emotional leader.
- Lionel Hollins (23 years old): The starting point guard, Hollins was a tenacious defender and a reliable scorer.
- Bob Gross (23 years old): A versatile forward who contributed across the board.
- Dave Twardzik (26 years old): Another steady guard who provided veteran stability.
- Larry Steele (27 years old): A solid two-way wing.
- Herm Gilliam (30 years old): The oldest significant contributor, providing valuable experience off the bench.
Like the Thunder, the Blazers were built around a transcendent young talent (Walton) surrounded by complementary pieces who bought into a collective, unselfish identity. They were an unexpected champion, proving that youth and chemistry could overcome more experienced and star-studded opponents.
The parallels between the 2025 Thunder and the 1977 Blazers are striking:
- Youthful Core: Both teams featured a primary group of players under the age of 27, with their superstar being remarkably young.
- Team-Oriented Play: Both prioritized ball movement, defensive intensity, and a collective approach over isolation heroics, though both had star players capable of taking over.
- Unexpected Success: While the Thunder entered this season with high expectations after their 2024 playoff run, few predicted them to reach the Finals this quickly. The 1977 Blazers were even more of a surprise.
- Defensive Prowess: Both teams built their foundation on elite defense, using their athleticism and length to disrupt opponents.
- Visionary Front Office: Sam Presti’s long-term strategy in Oklahoma City echoes the calculated moves made by Blazers GM Harry Glickman and coach Jack Ramsay in building their roster.
However, there are also key differences:
- Era of Play: The 1970s NBA was a different game, with less emphasis on the three-point shot and more on post-play and mid-range jumpers. The Thunder’s game is thoroughly modern, embracing pace, space, and volume three-point shooting.
- Star Power Distribution: While Walton was a clear centerpiece, the Blazers had a more distributed scoring attack. The Thunder, while balanced, are heavily reliant on the singular brilliance of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has emerged as a true MVP-caliber scorer.
- Path to the Finals: The 1977 Blazers navigated a smaller league and a different playoff format. The Thunder have faced arguably a deeper and more physically demanding Western Conference gauntlet.
If the Thunder win the championship, it will be significant for several reasons:
- Validation of Modern Roster Building: It would further cement the validity of building through the draft, accumulating assets, and patiently developing a young core rather than relying heavily on free agency or trading away future picks for immediate success. Sam Presti’s “asset accumulation” strategy has been lauded and criticized, but a championship would be the ultimate vindication.
- A New Dynasty on the Horizon? Winning so early in their collective careers suggests a potential dynasty in the making. With their core locked up for years and still so much room for growth, the Thunder could become a perennial contender for the next decade. This would echo the early success of teams like the Tim Duncan-led Spurs or the early 2010s Heat.
- Impact on Player Development: It reinforces the idea that true greatness can emerge early. While experience is often cited as crucial for playoff success, the Thunder have demonstrated that talent, chemistry, and coaching can accelerate that learning curve.
- A Story of Resilience: The Thunder’s journey from the departure of superstars like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, through years of rebuilding and tanking, to now being on the verge of a championship, is a powerful narrative of organizational resilience and a return to prominence.
As the series unfolds, all eyes will be on the youthful exuberance of the Oklahoma City Thunder. If they can secure the Larry O’Brien trophy, they won’t just be celebrating a championship; they’ll be etching their names into NBA history as the youngest team to achieve the ultimate prize in nearly five decades, signaling a potential changing of the guard in the league.
