"Now you go from doing the hunting to now being the hunted" - LeBron warns OKC about the pressure that comes with winning originally appeared on Basketball Network .
After reaching the NBA pinnacle in 2025, the Oklahoma City Thunder need to be prepared for what the future holds. LeBron James , someone who knows the aftermath of winning championships, shares his take and some advice the Thunder may want to consider.
Bron acknowledged without question that OKC will be up there in the coming years. However, staying on top will come at a price, with other NBA teams expected to go all out in trying to dethrone the reigning NBA champions.
"They're going to be great for years to come. But also, too, like… now you go from doing the hunting to now being the hunted as well if they take, they win it all. It's a different dynamic that as well," the Los Angeles Lakers star said on the "Mind the Game" podcast.
James knows how hard the Thunder worked to win the 2025 title, as he did the same in his previous championship runs. But now, that drive or hunger will be passed on to other teams who want to win a championship. Hence, OKC would do well to adopt a different mindset heading into the 2025-26 season.
"Everything is geared to we want to be the next champion," Bron said. "And then when you get there… it's a different dynamic."
LeBron's advice to the newly crowned champs is a friendly reminder that winning a title is one thing, and staying on top is another. Hence, OKC needs to be ready for all takers, teams that are bulking up their rosters with the intent of winning it all next season.
With the success they have had, the Thunder are unsurprisingly the favorites to repeat as champions in 2026. Draymond Green believes this is a strong possibility. However, Draymond Green had reservations about winning more titles beyond that.
"I think their best chance to win a championship is next year, because you'll still have Chet and J-Dub making rookie money, which means you're still allowed to keep your pieces," Green pointed out .
Dray mentioned it himself — money. It may not be a factor right now, but it will be once the contracts of some players run out. Alex Caruso , Lu Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein , players who could easily be starters for other teams, are just some of the names expected to seek raises.
Hence, it is a reality that at some point, OKC's players will leave because of lucrative offers elsewhere. Given that the team has multiple young and talented players, this is expected to be a domino effect.
Luckily for the Thunder, they have a collection of draft picks who can replace players who may leave. However, this means that coach Mark Daigneault will have to reorient the new players in the mix, hoping the new faces will understand the system and blend in.
As Paul Pierce pointed out, OKC does have the infrastructure to build a dynasty . It is doable, although Thunder management will have to do their part to ensure Oklahoma City remains on top of the league.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
