Even with a roster that’s been banged up early in the season, the San Antonio Spurs are off to their most promising start in years. Sitting fifth in the Western Conference standings, they’re in the thick of the playoff race-and if things break right, they could climb into the top four. That would mean home-court advantage in the first round, a significant edge for a team still finding its rhythm with a young core.
But looming large on the horizon is a problem no one in the West can ignore: the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder have come out of the gates like a freight train, opening the season with a jaw-dropping 20-1 record. That’s not just impressive-it’s historic territory.
They’re already drawing comparisons to some of the all-time great regular-season teams, and if they keep this pace, 70 wins is very much on the table. This isn’t a hot streak.
This is a team with a championship pedigree, a deep, young roster, and a level of cohesion that’s rare for a group this early in their development.
Let’s not forget-they’re the youngest team ever to win an NBA title, and they did it with the best point differential in league history last season. That’s not just talent. That’s dominance.
Now, imagine the Spurs finishing fourth and the Thunder locking up the top seed. That sets up a potential second-round showdown-and for San Antonio, that’s a brutal draw.
Running into OKC that early could feel more like a Finals matchup than a conference semifinal. And it doesn’t stop there.
The Thunder might be poised to get even better.
Thanks to the ripple effects of the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander trade-a move that has aged worse than milk for the Clippers-Oklahoma City owns a 2026 pick swap with L.A. Right now, the Clippers are spiraling, holding the sixth-worst record in the league.
That pick swap could land the Thunder a high lottery selection. Yes, the same Thunder team that’s already stacked with talent and title experience.
It’s not just about adding another good young player. It’s about potentially landing a future All-Star.
The 2026 NBA Draft class is headlined by names like AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cam Boozer-each of whom projects as a franchise-changing prospect. If OKC lands one of them?
That’s a nightmare scenario for the rest of the league, especially for a Spurs team trying to build something sustainable around its own young trio.
San Antonio knows how much a high pick can shift a franchise's trajectory. Just last year, they had the eighth-worst record in the league and still walked away with the No. 2 overall pick, using it to select Dylan Harper-an electric talent who’s already showing flashes of stardom. Pairing him with De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle has given the Spurs a solid foundation, but they’re still looking for that third star to truly elevate them into contender status.
OKC, meanwhile, might have the opposite problem-too much talent, not enough touches.
That’s where a potential silver lining emerges for the Spurs. If the Thunder do land another top-tier prospect, integrating them into an already loaded rotation could get tricky.
With Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams already entrenched as focal points, a new rookie might find himself as the fourth option. That’s not always the easiest role for a young star looking to make his mark, and it could create some tension in the locker room or limit development.
It’s a dynamic that mirrors what San Antonio is navigating in a different way. They have the minutes and opportunity to let their young players grow into their roles.
There’s no established championship hierarchy yet-no pecking order that a new arrival has to crack. That flexibility could work in their favor long term.
Still, there’s no sugarcoating it: if the Thunder land another top-three pick, it’s a serious problem for the Spurs and the rest of the NBA. They’re already a juggernaut, and adding another elite young talent to the mix could push them into dynasty territory.
For San Antonio, the mission is clear-keep developing, stay healthy, and hope the Clippers find a way to win just enough games to keep that pick out of the top tier. Because if OKC gets stronger, the rest of the West might be playing for second place.