The Oklahoma City Thunder are projected for 64 wins, making them the undisputed top team in the league’s initial power rankings after a wild offseason. This is the same incredible 64-18 record they put up last season, holding strong as the No. 1 team in the West. It’s clear their core is still absolutely dominant behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and this team is set to be an elite two-way force once more.
OKC’s Projected Dominance and the Shrewd Roster Moves
Seriously, a projected 64-18 record? That’s a healthy margin at the top of the model, and it speaks volumes about where this squad is at. Some folks might have worried when they shed guys like Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe, who were luxury tax casualties. But get this: reallocating Dort’s minutes to Cason Wallace, Ajay Mitchell, Alex Caruso, and other Thunder guards actually makes them stronger. How many teams can trade away contributors and *improve*? Rookie Aday Mara didn’t look ready in Summer League, and Bennett Stirtz will likely be a minor rotation piece, but those are moves on the margins. The big win here was prioritizing Isaiah Hartenstein on a long-term deal, which lets Mara develop on the bench until he’s truly ready. That’s smart team-building, plain and simple.
Spurs Are Climbing, Raptors Make a Risky Bet
Down in second, the San Antonio Spurs had a good offseason, even if their projected 57-22 record is a little lower than last year’s 62-20 finish. Adding veteran leader and scorer Tobias Harris was a huge move, and drafting an NBA-ready forward in Tarris Reed gives them immediate help. Locking up Julian Champagnie to a below-market deal is just icing on the cake. I’m higher on this team than the model is, too. Victor Wembanyama is only going to get better, Dylan Harper should see more minutes, and bringing in Hall of Fame coach Billy Donovan as an assistant will absolutely help them stay poised in pressure situations.
Then there are the Toronto Raptors at No. 3, projected for 54-28 after a 46-36 season. This is the big wild card. That projection *assumes* Kawhi Leonard eventually lands in Toronto, even though the trade is on hold for now. Without him, the Raptors were already an elite defense. With him, they get someone much better on that end than the recently departed Brandon Ingram, plus the efficient offensive creation they’ve been lacking. Aside from the potential blockbuster Leonard trade, they didn’t do much. Rookie Allen Graves looked promising in Summer League, adding to their smart defensive forward group, but Kyle Anderson might not have much juice left. It’s a huge bet on Kawhi coming through.
The NBA season is gonna be wild with these teams at the top. Can OKC really stay *that* dominant? Will Kawhi actually land in Toronto and make them an East powerhouse? Get ready, because these projections mean some serious battles are coming when the games actually tip off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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