For many years, the NBA saw its competitive balance dominated by so-called “superteams.” These powerful lineups, like the long-dominant Golden State Warriors or the Miami Heat`s “Big 3,” were built through significant investment in expensive veteran superstars, aiming to establish long-term reigns over the league.
However, the 2025 NBA Finals potentially signals a departure from that trend. The matchup features the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, both teams characterized by young rosters built on more modest player contracts.
Myles Turner, the center for the Pacers, suggests that the two squads left standing in the 2025 playoffs could be catalysts, setting a new standard for how NBA rosters are assembled.
“It`s a new blueprint for the league, man,” Turner commented following the Pacers` victory in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals, which secured their spot. “I think the days of superteams and stacking talent aren`t as effective as they once were. The NBA has always been very responsive to trends since I`ve been around. It shifts. The current trend is moving towards what we`re doing.”
This isn`t to say the Pacers or Thunder lack star power. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder, for instance, recently earned the MVP award after a historically great season for a guard. Tyrese Haliburton for the Pacers is also solidifying his reputation as one of the league`s premier point guards.
Talent remains essential for any championship contender. Nevertheless, this year`s finalists distinguish themselves from many past contenders by placing less emphasis on concentrated superstardom at the very top and prioritizing greater depth throughout the roster. During the regular season, no single Pacers player averaged more than 33.6 minutes per game, and only one Thunder player exceeded 32.4 minutes. Their success highlights the importance of team chemistry, depth, and tactical flexibility.
Turner noted the Thunder`s similar approach: “OKC operates the same way. Young players run hard, defend, and rely on what they call the `power of friendship.`”
These two organizations field some of the youngest and most cost-efficient rosters in the entire NBA. Remarkably, they navigated past significantly older and more expensive teams on their journey to the Finals. According to Spotrac data, the Pacers possess the 10th-lowest total salary cap figure in the league, while the Thunder`s roster is even more affordable, ranking fifth lowest. Heading into the season, Indiana had the 12th-youngest roster, and Oklahoma City began its 68-win campaign as the absolute youngest team in the NBA, with an average age just over 24.
Another key characteristic shared by both teams is roster continuity. The core of the Indiana team is largely unchanged from the previous year, with players like Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, and Aaron Nesmith being consistent lineup fixtures since 2022. Oklahoma City strategically accumulated numerous draft picks and successfully developed many of them, resulting in a predominantly homegrown roster that boasts an excellent mix of youth and talent.
These similarly constructed teams have already proven their model is effective against different types of rosters. Regardless of which team ultimately wins the final series, their success suggests a potential shift in how future NBA contenders will be built.
Jasper Hawthorne