When the Seattle SuperSonics became the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008, the franchise had two building blocks in sixth-year forward Nick Collison and reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant. It took management just four years to build a championship-caliber roster. Here’s how the Thunder were assembled:
| Year | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 |
| Record | 23-59 | 50-32 | 55-27 | 47-19 |
| Win pct. | .280 | .610 | .671 | .712 |
| Additions to roster | Russell Westbrook: Drafted fourth overall; Serge Ibaka: Drafted 24th overall; Thabo Sefolosha: Trade (Bulls) | James Harden: Drafted third overall; Eric Maynor: Trade (Jazz) | Cole Aldrich: Drafted 11th overall; (rights from Hornets); Kendrick Perkins: Trade (Celtics); Daequan Cook: Trade (Heat); Nazr Mohammed: Trade (Bobcats); Royal Ivey: Signed as free agent | Reggie Jackson: Drafted 24th overall; Lazar Hayward: Trade (Timberwolves); Derek Fisher: Signed as free agent |
| Notable | The OKC era opened with a 1-16 start and 14-game losing streak. That got coach P.J. Carlesimo fired, replaced by assistant Scott Brooks. Their only three-game win streak came in March. | Brooks was named NBA Coach of the Year as his young squad jelled after a slow start. Durant became the NBA’s youngest scoring champion at age 21, averaging 30.1 points per game. | A division title and spot in the Western Conference finals solidified the Thunder’s spot among the NBA’s elite. Westbrook became an All-Star to give the team the second scoring threat that it lacked. | The Thunder finished with the third-best scoring differential in the league. While Durant won his third consecutive scoring title, Harden and Ibaka emerged as complementary stars. |
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