Collecting OKC, from Seattle to Today
In less than two decades since arriving in town, the Oklahoma City Thunder have featured some of the modern era’s biggest superstars, built some of the game’s most electrifying teams, and as of June, climbed to the very top of the basketball world.
Now, with a young team poised for a run at a dynasty, it’s a fantastic time for anyone in The Hobby to start capturing the history of the Thunder and the franchise’s storied past in Seattle.
Here’s how to collect OKC.
Thunder Mount Rushmore
2007 Topps Chrome Basketball #131 Kevin Durant Refractor
Player Accomplishments
• 2x Champion
• 15x All-Star
• 2x Finals MVP
Card Info
• Durant’s Chrome debut is his most valuable Topps card, with the White Refractor numbered to 99 selling for as much as $288,000
Player Impact
• One of the best pure scorers of all-time, Durant catapulted the franchise into elite territory shortly after the move to Oklahoma City
2008 Topps Chrome Basketball #184 Russell Westbrook Red Refractor /5
Player Accomplishments
• 2017 MVP
• 2x All-Star Game MVP
• 9x All-Star
Player Impact
• Formed one of the league’s most exciting young duos in history along with Durant
• Westbrook’s decision to stay after Durant’s departure endeared him to Thunder fans forever
1993 Topps Black Gold #10 Gary Payton Redemption Card
Player Accomplishments
• 2006 Champion
• 9x All-Star
• 2x First-Team
Card Info
• Beautifully designed redemption set included as part of 1993 Topps Basketball
Player Impact
• The Glove, One of the best perimeter defenders ever, led one of the most exciting teams in franchise history to the 1996 Finals
2023 Topps Midnight Basketball Nightball #NB5 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander /12
Player Accomplishments
• 2025 MVP
• 2025 Finals MVP
• 3x All-Star
Card Info
• 2023 Midnight insert offering with stunning design of SGA in action
Player Impact
• Coming off one of the best individual seasons ever, SGA has lifted his young team to historic heights and has them on the cusp of a dynasty
Knocking on the Door
The Thunder’s first season in Oklahoma City came in 2008/09, when the franchise arrived in town with a generational talent and a promising young point guard. Durant and Westbrook were joined a year later by James Harden, forming one of the most exciting young trios in league history.
The team quickly made the Conference Finals in 2011 and the Finals the next year, losing in 2012 to LeBron and the Heat. While Harden would move on in 2012, and a dynasty that could have been never was, the young group made the city fall in love with the Thunder.
While all three stars are great pieces for a team collection, there’s no doubt that Russell Westbrook is the franchise’s most beloved son from that era. His RC’s can be found in 2008 Topps. A red Refractor numbered to five of his 2008 Topps Chrome RC sold in June 2025 for $18,900, making it the highest reported sale ever of a Westbrook Topps card.
All three of the Thunder stars would go on to be MVP Award winners, and all three will be in the Hall-of-Fame. Durant’s start in OKC is one of the best beginnings to a career in league history. He followed up his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2008 with a run for the ages.
From 2009/10 to 2013/14, he finished as MVP runner-up three times, placed fifth once, and finally won the award in 2014. This all happened before his age 26 season. Durant remains one of the most important players in the modern Hobby.
Eventually, Durant would depart, and while the team didn’t get back (right away) to the heights of those years, superstars like Paul George and Chris Paul made pit stops in OKC, making them intriguing options for any team collection.
Collecting the Seattle Supersonics
While the team has only been in OKC since 2008, the franchise has an amazing history from its previous home as well. The Seattle Supersonics featured some incredible players and personalities, and took home the 1979 Championship in convincing fashion.
Finals MVP Dennis Johnson would go on to win more rings with the Celtics, but the point guard, along with seven-time All-Star Jack Sikma and Gus Williams (who averaged 29 PPG in the Finals), are all great options for collectors who want to commemorate the franchise’s time in the Emerald City.
Led by the Glove, Gary Payton, the Sonics of the ’90s were phenomenal. From ‘92/93 to ‘97/98, the team averaged over 60 wins per season, never dipping below 57. The 1996 team, which went 64-18, was perhaps the best equipped of any Finals opponent to bring down the Jordan Dynasty. Falling behind three games to zero, the Sonics rallied to force a Game Six, but Jordan once again had the last laugh.
Still, the likes of Payton and all-world athlete Shawn Kemp remain valuable pieces to a collection celebrating this franchise.
Ray Allen is another superstar worthy of a place in your collection. Allen was a four-time All-Star with the team. This 1-of-1 SuperFractor sold for $11,700 in August 2025, the second biggest sale of an Allen Topps card ever.
A Special Thunder Fan Favorite
Few players own the title of fan favorite quite like Nick Collison in Oklahoma City. A phenomenal teammate and quintessential role player, he played his entire career with the franchise. His number was retired by OKC in 2019, and Collison remains with the team in an executive role.
Taking the Crown
Today, the Thunder sit atop the league, fresh off a historic season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP campaign, and a dominant run through the playoffs to capture the 2025 Championship.
Stars like SGA and Jalen Williams are featured in recent Topps Chrome releases and will no doubt remain centerpieces across the Topps Basketball landscape for years to come.
Capturing History Your Way
From a young trio of future MVPs to a new team on the cusp of a dynasty, the Thunder have been at the center of the basketball universe for most of the short time the franchise has been in Oklahoma City. With a future as bright as we’ve ever seen, this is a perfect time to go deep on a Thunder team collection. Happy hunting!
