LeBron James Says 'Don't Write Off' SGA, Thunder as Title Contenders Ahead of 2026 NBA Season

Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James implored fans to not "write off" the Oklahoma City Thunder despite their tough Western Conference Finals loss to the San Antonio Spurs last season.

James made his comments during a 2026-27 season preview edition of his Mind the Game podcast with Basketball Hall of Famer Steve Nash (nine-minute mark).

"It's very important that we as fans of the game and the casuals don't write off OKC just yet," James began.

"Because you're so intrigued obviously with [San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama] and what [the Spurs] bring to the table and obviously the young guys, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle, you love what they bring to the game. And I love watching those guys. They're unbelievable, but we're quick to turn the page a lot faster than when we should.

"And I hope that we do not turn the page too fast on OKC. They got too much talent. They got too much experience. They were hungry last year and injuries always can affect some things. We always talk about the most important [thing] is being healthy. If those guys are healthy, they'll be right there. They'll be right there again. They're that good."

Led by now reigning back-to-back NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City took the 2024-25 NBA championship after winning a league-high 68 games. The Thunder also dominated the 2025-26 regular season with a league-high 64 victories.

OKC cruised through the first two rounds of the playoffs with a pair of sweeps against the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Thunder then fell to the Spurs, who had beaten OKC in four of five games during the regular season, in seven.

OKC dealt with numerous injuries during that series. Of note, forward Jalen Williams, an All-NBA Third Teamer in 2024-25, played just 55 minutes over three games after suffering an aggravation of a left hamstring strain . Guard Ajay Mitchell suffered a right soleus (calf) strain and missed the final four games of the series.

We'll never know how the series would have turned out if Williams and Mitchell were more available, but San Antonio did a great job in its own right and certainly deserved to win that series.

Ultimately, OKC should be back in the mix. FanDuel Sportsbook gives OKC the shortest odds (+240) to win the NBA championship, with the Spurs (+270) right behind.

The Thunder begin the regular season on Tuesday, Oct. 20 with a rematch at the Spurs.