10 Greatest OKC Thunder Players Of All Time
The Oklahoma City Thunder's basketball dominance found its pinnacle on Sunday night, following an impressive 103-91 victory in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander captured the Finals MVP trophy following an excellent regular-season campaign that also included a regular-season MVP and scoring title, and we have no doubts who the greatest player in Thunder history is.
Advertisement
The Thunder essentially completed a journey that began with Kevin Durant's silky scoring, flourished under Russell Westbrook's relentless will, and evolved through foundational pieces like Serge Ibaka, Steven Adams, and Luguentz Dort. But leading the charge, towering above them all, has to be Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Credit and respect also go to SGA's co-star Jalen Williams, a first-time All-Star in 2025, and talents such as Chet Holmgren, who found a way to mature quickly to build a title contender. After the buzzer sounded, the all-time Thunder list has become clear, and we have the 10 greatest ranked in order.
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Accolades with Thunder: 2024-25 NBA Champion, 2024-25 Finals MVP, 2024-25 MVP, 3x All-Star, 3x All-NBA Team Selection, 2024-25 Scoring Champion
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has officially ascended to basketball royalty in Oklahoma City. The Thunder secured their first NBA title since moving to Oklahoma City (Seattle won in 1979) with a dominant 103-91 Game 7 win over the Pacers, and "Shai G" delivered a performance for the ages: 29 points and 12 assists to clinch Finals MVP.
Advertisement
His historic season wasn't just about Team Glory, it was a personal trifecta: leading the league in scoring (32.7 PPG), earning regular season MVP honors, and grabbing Finals MVP all in the same year, putting him in exclusive company with Shaq, Jordan, and Kareem.
Shai did what legendary figures, including Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, could not do and that was deliver an NBA title. Time will tell if SGA can add more accolades to his resume because right now, he is on track to become one of the greatest players of his generation.
2. Kevin Durant
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Accolades with Thunder: NBA MVP (2013-14), 7x All-Star (2010-2016), 5× All-NBA First Team (2010–2014), 2× All-NBA Second Team (2015-16, 2016-17), 4× NBA Scoring Champion (2010-2012, 2014), Rookie of the Year (2007-08), NBA All-Rookie First Team (2007-08), All-Star Game MVP (2011-12)
Kevin Durant exploded into superstardom in Seattle/OKC, instantly dominating as a multi-dimensional scorer. He won Rookie of the Year, then eventually claimed four straight scoring titles. His 2014 MVP season remains one of the most unstoppable offensive campaigns ever: 32.0 PPG on remarkable efficiency (50.3% FG, 39.1% 3-PT FG, 87.3% FT).
Advertisement
Durant's silky shooting, size, and versatility defined the Thunder's rise, making him their first true global superstar. After inspiring a Finals run in 2012, he continued racking up individual honors, All-NBA selections and All-Star appearances, and became the heart of one of the league's most compelling title contenders.
His departure in 2016 still stings, and Thunder fans won't spare any ill feelings for him, but no one galvanized the franchise more in its early OKC era. Still, Durant did not deliver an NBA championship for the franchise, and that is why he is second.
3. Russell Westbrook
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Accolades with Thunder: NBA MVP (2016-17), 8x All-Star (2011-2013, 2015-2019), 2× All-NBA First Team (2015-16, 2016-17), 5× All-NBA Second Team (2011-13, 2015, 2018), All-NBA Third Team (2018-19), 2× Scoring Champion (2014-15, 2016-17), NBA Assists Leader (2017-18, 2018-19),2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2014-15, 2015-16), NBA All-Rookie First Team (2008-09), NBA Community Assist Award (2014-15)
Russell Westbrook redefined the triple-double era in OKC. From his explosive breakout post-Durant to the unparalleled 2016-17 MVP season, where he averaged a triple-double (31.6 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 10.4 APG), Russ brought unfiltered energy and dark horse bravery every night.
Advertisement
He wasn't just a statistical phenom; he embodied OKC's blue-collar spirit and was the backbone through an emotional rebuild once Kevin Durant left him high and dry to head to Golden State. Very few players in history are as loved by one franchise as Westbrook is in Oklahoma City.
His back-to-back scoring titles and All-Star MVPs underscored a competitive soul who refused complacency. Clashing and complementing KD, Russ powered the Thunder into relevance, even as the franchise evolved by trading him to the Houston Rockets before the 2019-20 season.
4. Jalen Williams
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Accolades with Thunder: 2024-25 NBA Champion, 2024-25 All-Star, NBA All-NBA Third Team (2024-25), NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2024-25), NBA All-Rookie First Team (2022-23)
Jalen Williams might be the most elegant surprise on this list, considering how fast he has developed. A 2022 late-first-rounder, he seamlessly transformed into a two-way starter, industrial off-ball cutter, sharp-shooting initiator, and fearsome defender.
Advertisement
His All-NBA and All-Defensive honors in 2025 make him the Thunder's embodiment of modern team construction. He made his first All-Star campaign as well, posting 21.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 5.1 APG and was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's esteemed second option throughout the playoffs.
That 40-point eruption in Game 5 of the Finals? A defining moment that made it clear Williams is the co-star the Thunder needed to win an NBA Title. Williams is both the grounding presence next to Shai and a glimpse of OKC's immediate future, because he could crack the top two among all Thunder players one day.
5. Serge Ibaka
Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Accolades with Thunder: 3x NBA All-Defensive First Team (2012-2014), NBA Blocks Leader (2011-12, 2012-13)
Don't let the big smile fool you, Serge Ibaka was a force in the paint. The "Iblaka" era brought elite rim protection, two straight blocks crowns, and three All-Defensive First Team nods. He was OKC's defensive foundation, altering shots and anchoring their identity when Westbrook was still developing.
Advertisement
His mobility and shot-blocking weren't just flashy; they changed the floor. Ibaka often showcased a soft offensive touch, but his real legacy lies in instilling defensive toughness. He remains OKC's all-time blocks leader and a symbol of their championship DNA, and was the third option behind Durant and Westbrook during their 2012 Finals run.
6. Paul George
Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Accolades with Thunder: 2x All-Star, All-NBA First Team (2018-19), All-NBA Third Team (2017-18), All-Defensive First Team (2018-19), NBA Steals Leader (2018-19)
Paul George's tenure in OKC was a short-but-sweet blaze of brilliance. Acquired in 2017, he offered scoring, lockdown D, and championship ambition. His 2019 All-NBA First Team season proved he was more than just a sidekick; he was a two-way force.
Advertisement
That season also saw him lead the league in steals, proof that he could dominate on both ends. He also finished third in MVP voting, third in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and made All-NBA First Team and All-Defensive First Team.
He brought star power and hope over two seasons, and while dreams of Finals glory never materialized in OKC, his high-level play helped maintain legitimacy during the post-Westbrook rebuilding phase. His mid-career trade reshuffled draft picks that led to acquiring Shai, Jalen, and Chet, so his impact echoes well into the franchise's future.
7. James Harden
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Accolades with Thunder: NBA Sixth Man of the Year (2011-12), NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2009-10)
James Harden, the beard-wearing spark plug who didn't arrive as a starter, but rewrote his destiny off the bench. In 2012, he earned Sixth Man of the Year (16.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.7 APG) for his flair and efficiency, converting to a starter and helping propel OKC to the 2012 Finals.
Advertisement
He was a dynamic playmaker whose growth would eventually usher in MVP seasons and superteam status, though those would come after departing OKC in 2012. Still, Harden's early flashes of wizardry and clutch shooting helped deepen the Thunder's title runs, and his breakout signaled OKC's keen eye for developing elite talent.
8. Luguentz Dort
Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Accolades with Thunder: 2024-25 NBA Champion, NBA All-Defensive First Team (2024–25)
Here's where the narrative turns gritty. Luguentz Dort is the blue-collar burner who guards your best scorer and doesn't flinch. Undrafted, yet he transformed into the ultimate "30-minute glue guy", a franchise defender with offensive flashes.
Advertisement
His All-Defensive First Team nod in 2025 puts him in elite company, and while his stats aren't flashy, his impact is, just ask anyone whose career-spanning star he's locked up. He represents the Thunder's soul: relentless, self-sacrificing, and foundational.
He may never light it up like others (career 12.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.0 SPG on 36.0% 3-PT FG), but the identity he brings is priceless, and Dort played an invaluable part in the championship banner that was erected this season.
9. Chet Holmgren
Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Accolades with Thunder: 2024-25 NBA Champion, NBA All-Rookie First Team (2023–24)
Still in early stages, but a bold future awaits. The No. 2 overall pick in 2022, Chet Holmgren, became a Rookie First Team pick in 2024 after showcasing his dreamy shot-blocking and perimeter scoring in limited games, signaling a generational two-way player.
Advertisement
He posted 16.5 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 2.3 BPG in his rookie campaign and averaged 15.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 2.2 BPG in 2024-25. Holmgren was also arguably the third-most important player behind the 2025 championship success.
As the linchpin of OKC's celebrated 2022 haul (which also included Jalen), the organization clearly views him as a foundational pillar, and they were 100% right. His trajectory suggests top-10 becomes top-3 soon, just in time if he adds more individual accolades with the Thunder franchise.
10. Steven Adams
Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Accolades with Thunder: NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2013-14)
Steven Adams was the brawny heart of the late Durant-Westbrook era. A rugged, steady presence in the paint, he brought toughness and team-first grit. Not flashy, but consistently anchored the defense, hauled boards, and spearheaded OKC's bruising identity.
Advertisement
His membership in the franchise's top all-time rebounders (7th) and shot blockers (5th) shows how vital he was. He may not own big awards, but his intangibles echo in thunderous homecourt atmospheres to this day.
Related: Grading Thunder Players vs. Pacers: Shai Captures Finals MVP In Historical Game 7 Performance
This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cleveland baseball legend Larry Doby remembered 78 years after groundbreaking achievement
Larry Doby broke the American League's color barrier 78 years ago today, on July 5, 1947. It was just a few months after Jackie Robinson first took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the National League. Advertisement Playing for the Cleveland Indians, the outfielder Doby visited each AL city as the first Black man to ever play in games at those stadiums, in an era well before inter-league play. Doby's national legacy is a bit muted because Robinson was first to MLB, but Doby surely endured many of the same stresses and hate that Robinson did. Along the way, Doby was one of the best players in baseball. He didn't join Cleveland until he had played four seasons in the Negro Leagues and also served in the Navy in World War II. Even with the late start, Doby made nine All-Star Games and won two World Series. He's a Hall of Famer. Advertisement He batted .288 in his career. That included 273 home runs, 1,099 RBI and 1,697 hits. Late in his career, Doby also suited up for the White Sox and Tigers. His decade in Cleveland is where he was a baseball trailblazer, and a superstar. And on Larry Doby Day, July 5th every year, Doby is remembered, maybe not on as quite as wide a scale of Robinson, but deserving every bit of a legendary legacy in his own right. MORE: The enduring legacy of Jackie Robinson Day
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ilona Maher makes quite a statement in hot bikini
American rugby star Ilona Maher has not only been keeping herself in shape for her sport, but she's even been flaunting her hot body around a bit. Maher decided to drop a new photo on her Instagram account on Friday, July 4. She did so while making quite a statement about herself, too. Maher, in the post on IG, simply wrote, "it ain't up for discussion". This photo comes from Maher's photo shoot for the latest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. She's standing near water, so it makes for a sweet backdrop. Yet Maher knows that this bikini will get a lot of eyeballs on her physical looks. Advertisement As much time as Maher spends training for rugby, no one doubts that she looks good in anything she wears. Especially when trying to stay cool under a hot sun. Maher has been posting photos and videos of her time on the magazine's photo shoot over the past few weeks. Who knows? Maher might have a couple of other sweet shots to drop in the coming days and weeks. Read More! Nicole Scherzinger powers through full-body workout in stylish 3-piece set Bill Belichick's gf Jordon Hudson stuns in bikini selfie during pageant prep LSU gymnast receives high praise from Olympian Aly Raisman
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Chelsea completes signing of winger Gittens from Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens controls the ball challenged by Fluminense's Rene during the Club World Cup group F soccer match between Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund in East Rutherford, N.J., Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) LONDON (AP) — Chelsea completed the signing of English winger Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund on Saturday for a reported initial fee of 48.5 million pounds ($66 million). The 20-year-old Gittens signed a contract until 2032 and follows in the footsteps of Jadon Sancho, another former Manchester City youth player who developed his game at Dortmund. Sancho spent last season on loan at Chelsea from Manchester United. Advertisement 'It feels great,' Gittens said. "It's a great feeling to join such a big club as Chelsea. 'I can't wait to learn from everyone in the team and to push myself to the max here. It's an amazing feeling.' Gittens joined Dortmund in 2020 shortly after his 16th birthday and scored 12 times in all competitions last season, but was often dropped to the bench after coach Niko Kovac took over in February. Known as Jamie Bynoe-Gittens when he made his Dortmund debut in 2022, the winger announced last year he wanted to be known simply as Jamie Gittens. He said he was following the example of his father, who also uses part of his full surname. Advertisement Like Chelsea, Dortmund is playing at the Club World Cup in the United States. Playing for more than one team during the tournament isn't allowed under FIFA rules, so Gittens will have to wait for the new English season to make his debut for Chelsea. Chelsea has also signed strikers Joao Pedro and Liam Delap since the end of last season. ___ AP soccer:
