Stephen A. Smith Sounds Alarm on Unexpected Danger Lurking for Thunder This Season

So here we are again, caught in that never-ending dance of champions and challengers — the Oklahoma City Thunder eyeing another crown, but with the Dallas Mavericks lurking like a shadow that just won’t quit. Now, here’s a question that’s been swirling in my mind: Can you really ever shake off a team that’s got your number? Stephen A. Smith sure thinks not, pointing fingers squarely at the Mavs as the “imminent threat” who keep tripping up the Thunder’s march to glory. And honestly, it’s hard not to get caught up in this saga — a Thunder squad growing stronger by the minute, a Mavericks lineup battered but not broken, and a fresh rookie ready to stir the pot. It’s a simmering rivalry that promises sparks, suspense, and maybe a few surprises along the way. Buckle up—this one’s shaping up to be a wild ride.

The Oklahoma City Thunder obviously want to win another championship, but earning back-to-back titles isn’t easy, and OKC will have it tough in the Western Conference.

But which team could be the biggest threat to the reigning champions?

Stephen A. Smith recently shared his opinion, and he said the Thunder need to be very afraid of the Dallas Mavericks.

“I think Dallas is the imminent threat because they’ve always had OKC’s number. If you look at them last year, Oklahoma was running through everybody except Dallas. They run into Dallas with Kyrie, Dallas beats them. This is what they do. For some reason, Dallas has their number, and they know how to play against them. Because of that reality, you cannot dismiss the Dallas Mavericks being that threat,” Smith said, via Clementa Almanza.

Stephen A. Smith sees the Mavs as the Thunder’s biggest threat from repeating next season:

“They’ve always had OKC’s number.”
pic.twitter.com/9JDcG12Bn3

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) August 24, 2025

It is true that the Mavericks have been able to outplay the Thunder in the past, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be the same in the future.

This Thunder team somehow only gets better.

Even after winning a championship, some people believe Oklahoma City will actually look even more powerful in 2025-26.

But the same will be true for the Mavericks.

Last season, they lost Luka Doncic, which was obviously a devastating blow to the team.

Things got even worse when Kyrie Irving suffered his injury, and he will probably sit out all of the new season.

Beyond that, the Mavericks are healthy, and now they have Cooper Flagg, one of the most exciting draft picks in ages.

There are reasons to believe they won’t be bottom of the barrel next season, and they could find more ways to beat the Thunder.

The Mavericks won’t be the only ones aiming to take down the Thunder because, like all champions, they will have massive targets on their backs.

The post Stephen A. Smith Names ‘Imminent Threat’ To Thunder This Season appeared first on The Cold Wire.