From a 46-108 record in his first two seasons as Oklahoma City’s head coach, including 58 losses just three years ago, to 68 victories, the No. 1 seed and the NBA championship in June, Mark Daigneault has led the Thunder to a slow-turned-rapid rise.

His team begins the 2025-26 season as arguably the league’s favorite, with reigning Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander back, along with rising stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, and one of the NBA’s deepest rosters. The Thunder also will be trying to do what no champion has managed since Golden State in 2018 – defend its crown.

Daigneault spoke with NBA.com at the National Basketball Coaches Association last month in Chicago about his team’s rare position:

NBA.com: This had to be a different offseason from any you ever experie

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