Oklahoma City Thunder season preview: Lineup, roster and prediction

And it was the San Antonio Spurs , Oklahoma City 's newest rival, who were ready to capitalize.

But now it's a new season for the Thunder, who have most of their core returning for what should be another push for a title. Much of that will depend on two-time consecutive Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams . But for the Thunder to get back to the NBA Finals, role players will have to do their part, too.

1 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2026: New York Knicks (beat San Antonio Spurs in five games) (Dustin Safranek, Imagn Images) 1 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2026: New York Knicks (beat San Antonio Spurs in five games) (Dustin Safranek, Imagn Images) 2 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2025: Oklahoma City Thunder (beat Indiana Pacers in seven games) (Kyle Terada, Imagn Images) 3 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2024: Boston Celtics (beat Dallas Mavericks in five games) (Peter Casey, USA TODAY Sports) 4 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2023: Denver Nuggets (beat Miami Heat in five games) (Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports) 5 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2022: Golden State Warriors (beat Boston Celtics in six games) (Adam Glanzman, Getty Images) 6 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2021: Milwaukee Bucks (beat Phoenix Suns in six games) (Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports) 7 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2020: Los Angeles Lakers (beat Miami Heat in six games) (Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports) 8 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2019: Toronto Raptors (beat Golden State Warriors in six games) (Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports) 9 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2018: Golden State Warriors (beat Cleveland Cavaliers in four games) (David Richard, USA TODAY Sports) 10 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2017: Golden State Warriors (beat Cleveland Cavaliers in five games) (Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports) 11 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2016: Cleveland Cavaliers (beat Golden State Warriors in seven games) (Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports) 12 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2015: Golden State Warriors (beat Cleveland Cavaliers in six games) (Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports) 13 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2014: San Antonio Spurs (beat Miami Heat in five games) (Brendan Maloney, USA TODAY Sports) 14 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2013: Miami Heat (beat San Antonio Spurs in seven games) (Brendan Maloney=, USA TODAY Sports) 15 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2012: Miami Heat (beat Oklahoma City Thunder in five games) (US PRESSWIRE) 16 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2008: Boston Celtics (beat Los Angeles Lakers in six games) (GABRIEL BOUYS, AFP via Getty Images) 17 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2005: San Antonio Spurs (beat Detroit Pistons in seven games) (ROBERT SULLIVAN, AFP via Getty Images) 18 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2004: Detroit Pistons (beat Los Angeles Lakers in five games) (Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images) 19 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2003: San Antonio Spurs (beat New Jersey Nets in six games) (JAMES NIELSEN, AFP via Getty Images) 20 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2002: Los Angeles Lakers (beat New Jersey Nets in four games) (Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY) 21 / 33 NBA champions through the years 2001: Los Angeles Lakers (beat Philadelphia 76ers in five games) (STAN HONDA, AFP via Getty Images) 22 / 33 NBA champions through the years 1999: San Antonio Spurs (beat New York Knicks five games) (TIMOTHY A. CLARY, AFP via Getty Images) 23 / 33 NBA champions through the years 1997: Chicago Bulls (beat Utah Jazz in six games) (JEFF HAYNES, AFP via Getty Images) 24 / 33 NBA champions through the years 1996: Chicago Bulls (beat Seattle SuperSonics in six games) (PAUL BUCK, AFP via Getty Images) 25 / 33 NBA champions through the years 1995: Houston Rockets (beat Orlando Magic in four games) (PAUL BUCK, AFP via Getty Images) 26 / 33 NBA champions through the years 1994: Houston Rockets (beat New York Knicks in seven games) (BOB STRONG, AFP via Getty Images) 27 / 33 NBA champions through the years 1993: Chicago Bulls (beat Phoenix Suns in six games) (US PRESSWIRE) 28 / 33 NBA champions through the years 1992: Chicago Bulls (beat Portland Trail Blazers in six games)