Thunder Reign, But the Cavaliers Are Coming: After OKC’s Historic 2025 Title, Cleveland Sends a Bold Message — ‘Next Year Is Ours’ — Is the NBA’s Next Great Rivalry About to Explode?
The confetti has barely settled in Oklahoma City, the champagne still fresh in the locker room, and the Thunder are officially on top of the basketball world — 2025 NBA Champions. It’s a moment that cements Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise to superstardom, validates Chet Holmgren’s evolution, and proves that OKC’s meticulously built young core wasn’t just hype — it’s the real deal.
But while the Thunder celebrate, over 1,000 miles away, another team is watching closely. And they’ve already issued their response:
“Next year is ours.”
The Cleveland Cavaliers, one of the NBA’s most dangerous rising teams, are making it known — the 2025 Finals may have belonged to OKC, but the Cavaliers are ready to crash the party in 2026.
The Thunder’s Triumph: A Blueprint for Young Teams
OKC’s 2025 championship run wasn’t just impressive — it was historic. A roster built through patient drafting, smart trades, and player development blossomed into the league’s most complete young unit.
✅ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander solidified himself as a top-five player, delivering in clutch moments all postseason.
✅ Chet Holmgren, fully healthy and confident, proved to be the defensive anchor and versatile weapon scouts envisioned.
✅ The Thunder’s depth, including emerging contributors like Jalen Williams and Josh Giddey, overwhelmed opponents when it mattered most.
The result? A title run that signals OKC’s arrival — and possibly, the beginning of a dynasty.
But Cleveland Isn’t Just Watching — They’re Coming
The Cavaliers were one of the quiet juggernauts of the 2025 season, making noise in the East with a potent blend of talent, chemistry, and untapped potential.
Why the Cavs Believe 2026 Is Their Year:
🔥 Donovan Mitchell continues to ascend as one of the league’s most electrifying scorers.
🔥 Darius Garland remains a masterful playmaker, capable of controlling the tempo against any opponent.
🔥 Evan Mobley, already a defensive force, is evolving offensively, becoming a true two-way nightmare.
🔥 Deep, versatile rotation, including players like Jarrett Allen and Max Strus, gives Cleveland the balance and depth championship teams require.
“We respect what OKC did. They earned it. But this group in Cleveland — we know what we’re capable of,” a Cavaliers player reportedly told The Athletic. “We’re not watching from the sidelines much longer.”
The Birth of the NBA’s Next Great Rivalry?
The ingredients are all there:
✅ Two young, hungry, well-constructed teams
✅ Legitimate superstar talent on both rosters
✅ Defensive anchors, unselfish play, and evolving offensive systems
✅ Fanbases desperate to bring titles back to proud basketball cities
Add in potential Finals clashes and regular-season showdowns, and the Cavaliers-Thunder rivalry could be the NBA’s next marquee storyline.
The League Has Been Warned
While the Thunder earned their crown, they know the target on their backs just got larger — and the Cavaliers, perhaps more than any other team, are locked in on knocking them off the throne.
Cleveland isn’t just building for the future — they believe the future starts now.
And as the 2026 season approaches, one thing is certain: The Cavaliers are coming. The Thunder have the crown. And the NBA’s next great rivalry may have already begun
