Charles Barkley reveals the perfect menace to thunder within the west subsequent season Initially appeared on Sports activities Athlon.
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder will enter the 2025-26 NBA season because the possible favorites to win the championship after profitable it final season.
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Oklahoma Metropolis undoubtedly has the perfect younger NBA core and with their star trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren locked up within the foreseeable future after their contract extensions, Thunder could possibly be the workforce to beat for the following seasons.
Might 26, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States; Oklahoma striker Metropolis Thunder, Jalen Williams (8), the striker Chet Holmgren (7) and goalkeeper Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) converse to the media after beating the Minnesota Timberwolves in match 4 of the Western Convention Finals for the NBA 2025 eliminations on the Goal Middle. © Jesse Johnson-Imagn Photos
Regardless of this, there have been a number of groups that improved their alignment throughout the offseason and whereas the legend of the NBA Charles Barkley believes The Thunder are the workforce to beat, he appointed two groups, together with the Denver Nuggets, like those that may dethrone the Thunder.
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“I stated that Denver had a shot. However that is it. Now I believe the Rockets (Houston) have had a shot. However I stated midway of the season, no one can beat this workforce 4 occasions,” stated Barkley concerning the Thunder. “You possibly can beat them as soon as. You possibly can beat them twice, you would beat them 3 times. However you need to beat them 4 occasions. They would be the favorites for the following three or 4 years. They’re younger, they’re proficient, they’re very nicely skilled. Now, the Rockets have had an enormous summer time. So the Nuggets. However these are the three finest groups.”
Whereas Barkley rapidly harassed that he thinks that the Thunder would be the workforce to beat, he named the Nuggets and the Rockets as groups to have a look at.
For Denver, they made a number of actions this offseason to enhance their checklist round their hearts of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon.
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Denver Nuggets options Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murrayron Chenoy-Imagn Photos
They exchanged Michael Porter Jr. in opposition to Cameron Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets, acquired Jonas Valancunas from the Kings of Sacramento and in addition signed Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown in free company.
With these actions, the Nuggets have been in a position to strengthen their preliminary alignment and their bench and with Jokic in thoughts, Denver may have the perfect coup from any workforce within the West to dethrone the Thunder subsequent season.
This story was initially reported by Sports activities Athlon On July 18, 2025, the place he appeared for the primary time.
