The Oklahoma City Thunder, on the back of the best young core in the NBA, are heading to the Finals for the first time since 2012. While OKC is easily Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's team, Chet Holmgren is a high-level stretch center, and Jalen Williams broke out as an All-Star this season.
While one player is head and shoulders above the rest, the three seem poised to stay in Oklahoma City for the long haul, giving the Thunder a legitimate Big Three.
Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
May 26, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8), forward Chet Holmgren (7) and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) talk to the media after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in game four of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
© Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
The term "big three" is usually given to teams that build through trades and free agent moves rather than developing their own talent in-house. The Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and Brooklyn Nets are all examples of that, with only the San Antonio Spurs doing things the "right way" with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker.
"SGA gets all the flowers, but Chet Holmgren was unbelievable in this series," praised Chandler Parsons. "We always talk about Evan Mobley for the Cavs has to make that jump, he's made that jump, and I can argue he can even make a bigger jump to continue to dominate and continue to grow as a big three."
While Holmgren is often overshadowed by his rival Victor Wembanyama, who has easily eclipsed him as an individual, the team's success can be attributed to him and the rest of the stars.
"We don't like the big three thing because SGA is so good, but this is a big three, and it is the best big three in the NBA," proclaimed Parsons.
There are real concerns that the Thunder won't be able to keep their core intact as the second apron approaches, although, even if they have to part with expensive role players, building around Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Holmgren is already a recipe for success.
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