The Oklahoma City Thunder once had three NBA MVPs on their roster but failed to capitalize on their potential. Now, they have an opportunity to build a second superteam.

In a bygone era, the Oklahoma City Thunder boasted three future NBA MVPs on their roster simultaneously. With Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook, all under 24 years old, and a promising young Serge Ibaka, the future appeared boundless for the league’s smallest market franchise.

Despite making it to the NBA Finals once, where they fell to the Miami Heat in five games, giving LeBron James his first title, the Thunder’s powerhouse trio of Durant, Harden, and Westbrook failed to secure sustained success. Harden, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, was shockingly traded after the following season due to ownership’s cost-cutting measures. Three years later, Durant stunned the basketball world by signing with the Thunder’s arch-rival, the Golden State Warriors. Eventually, Westbrook also departed as the franchise entered a rebuilding phase. It appeared that the Thunder had squandered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with their trio of future MVPs.

However, while it’s unlikely that the current Thunder roster will feature three future MVPs, there are promising talents emerging. Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has the potential to contend for the MVP award for years to come and is currently performing at a level reminiscent of Durant’s prime. At just 22 years old, Jalen Williams is already averaging nearly 20 points per game and is poised for numerous All-Star appearances in the future. Additionally, big man Chet Holmgren is having an impressive rookie season, excelling on both ends of the floor, with his performance only surpassed by Victor Wembanyama’s stellar campaign.