Oklahoma City has been back on top of the Western Conference for two seasons now in the regular season standings, and that was surely solidified last year with

The Oklahoma City Thunder will enter the 2025-26 regular season sitting on the throne. Expect them to receive the opposition's best punch every night. The NBA champions will be a main character again as the league schedule-makers have them tied for the most national television appearances at 34.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith believes that could be the Dallas Mavericks. He recently appeared on Gilbert Arena's podcast show to discuss the Thunder and who could be their biggest threats. He went with a surprise pick of a team many expect to have a rebuild year.