第7週の3つの重要ポイント:OKCの王朝計画、そしてカリー不在のウォリアーズ危機 、そして、NBAトレード市場が動き出す| Week 7 Three Takeaways : OKC's Dynasty Blueprint, and the Warriors' Curry Crisis & NBA Trade Market Opens
Writer/coach collaborating with NBA events & coaching Japanese youth through Eigo de Basket. Holds a Master’s in Advanced Education. Combines on-court coaching insight with expert NBA analysis and player development knowledge to cover the NBA.
December 15. No date on the NBA calendar is more overlooked by fans yet more closely watched by front offices. Eighty-five players suddenly become trade-eligible, and the market springs to life.
The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, already dominating at 20-1, could land up to four lottery picks in the 2026 Draft—the dynasty is just getting started.
Meanwhile, Golden State faces a difficult stretch as Stephen Curry's absence drags on and the team hovers around .500.
The trade market opens, an unstoppable dynasty evolves, and time runs short—here are three critical turning points shaping the NBA.
Takeaway 1: The Scariest Part About OKC? They're Already a Juggernaut… and They're About to Get Better
The Oklahoma City Thunder are off to one of the most dominant starts in NBA history—20-1 with a +15.5 point differential, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is once again the early-season MVP frontrunner. They look like the rare defending champion that actually improved.
But what has the rest of the league panicking isn't just how good OKC is today.
It's what they're positioned to add tomorrow.
A dynasty-level core locked in
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren—arguably the NBA's best young Big Three—are all signed through 2030. This is already a championship roster, already destroying teams, already on a 70-win pace. And they're the second-youngest team ever to win a title.
And yet, Sam Presti still has an overwhelming draft arsenal.
The Clippers trade that won't die
ESPN's Tim MacMahon said it plainly: "The league is in a panic."
OKC owns the LA Clippers' unprotected 2026 first-round pick, and LA has started the season at 5-16, their worst opening in 15 years. If the slide continues, OKC could walk into a top-3 pick without giving up a single asset.
The Paul George trade has already produced Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and multiple rotation players. Now it may give them another franchise-level prospect.
It gets even more ridiculous
OKC could have up to four first-round picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, including:
• Clippers' unprotected pick (possible top-3) • 76ers' first-round pick (top-4 protected) • Utah Jazz first-round pick (top-8 protected) • One of Houston/OKC/Clippers via favorable-pick rules
If the standings hold today, OKC would have three lottery picks.
For a reigning champion, this is unheard of. This is not a rebuild. This is a contender adding a future All-Star for free.
The 2026 draft features elite prospects like AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer—players who would normally land on rebuilding teams, not a dynasty in progress.
The NBA's new boogeyman
OKC is the NBA's deepest team, with the league's best net rating, the MVP favorite, and a top-three defense and offense. Now picture them adding another blue-chip scorer or an elite two-way wing to their core.
That's why the league is nervous. That's why executives are already talking about "panic."
Writer/coach collaborating with NBA events & coaching Japanese youth through Eigo de Basket. Holds a Master’s in Advanced Education. Combines on-court coaching insight with expert NBA analysis and player development knowledge to cover the NBA.
A writer for The Playmaker, I coach players and study the game through player development and basketball theory. I collaborate with Chris Sasaki on media and analysis projects, delivering clear, practical insights for both players and fans.
A writer for The Playmaker, I coach players and study the game through player development and basketball theory. I collaborate with Chris Sasaki on media and analysis projects, delivering clear, practical insights for both players and fans.
A writer for The Playmaker, I coach players and study the game through player development and basketball theory. I collaborate with Chris Sasaki on media and analysis projects, delivering clear, practical insights for both players and fans.
Writer/coach collaborating with NBA events & coaching Japanese youth through Eigo de Basket. Holds a Master’s in Advanced Education. Combines on-court coaching insight with expert NBA analysis and player development knowledge to cover the NBA.
A writer for The Playmaker, I coach players and study the game through player development and basketball theory. I collaborate with Chris Sasaki on media and analysis projects, delivering clear, practical insights for both players and fans.
A writer for The Playmaker, I coach players and study the game through player development and basketball theory. I collaborate with Chris Sasaki on media and analysis projects, delivering clear, practical insights for both players and fans.
A writer for The Playmaker, I coach players and study the game through player development and basketball theory. I collaborate with Chris Sasaki on media and analysis projects, delivering clear, practical insights for both players and fans.
A writer for The Playmaker, I coach players and study the game through player development and basketball theory. I collaborate with Chris Sasaki on media and analysis projects, delivering clear, practical insights for both players and fans.