Oklahoma City Thunder · Franchise era 4 of 6
The first Thunder superteam: the Oklahoma City Thunder story
Franchise era
2008–09—2015–16
The first Thunder superteam
Oklahoma City Thunder
The story in one sentence
An unprecedented collection of young talent reached the 2012 Finals and four conference finals before injuries and departures narrowed the window.
Durant and Westbrook grow up at once
Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Serge Ibaka gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for westbrook's triple-double years.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 2008–09
What came before
Payton and Kemp led a 64-win finalist before the roster evolved around Allen and the franchise ultimately left Seattle.
2012
NBA Finals: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Miami Heat
October 27, 2012
The trade that made James Harden a franchise player
The Thunder were protecting flexibility after a Finals trip; the Rockets were betting Harden could become far more than a sixth man.
04Star before the leapOctober 27, 2012HOU⇄OKCHarden to HoustonHouston acquired James Harden days before the season. Oklahoma City chose depth and draft assets rather than extend its Sixth Man of the Year.9 assets · 3 outcomes＋
The original receipt
Houston Rockets received
- • James Harden
- • Cole Aldrich
- • Daequan Cook
- • Lazar Hayward
Oklahoma City Thunder received
- • Kevin Martin
- • Jeremy Lamb
- • 2013 Toronto first
- • 2014 Dallas first
- • 2013 Charlotte second
Harden immediately became a lead scorer and eventual MVP. The return produced useful players, but not another star of his level.
Open full trade tree →2014
Western Conference Finals: Oklahoma City Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs
2016
Western Conference Finals: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Golden State Warriors
After 2015–16
What came next
Westbrook answered Durant's departure with a historic MVP season, and George later joined another short-lived contender.
The core