2025 NBA Finals: A Historic Matchup
In an unprecedented 2025 NBA Finals matchup, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers are poised to become champions with a historically young roster. This final series marks the lowest average age of any NBA champion since 1980, showcasing a significant shift in team composition influenced by recent collective bargaining agreements (CBAs).
Team Ages and Financial Strategies
The average age for the Thunder, hanging at only 24.7 years old, is slightly below that of the 1977 Portland Trail Blazers, who averaged 24.5. The Pacers, in comparison, boast an average age of 26.2 years. This contrast is no mere fluke; both teams are strategically positioned under the salary cap, largely thanks to the predictable financial mechanics introduced by the second apron regulation of the latest CBA. This rule limits spending for teams loaded with veteran players, creating a challenge for franchises aiming to build dynasties.
Payroll Dynamics
Diving into the payroll specifics, the Pacers have a total salary of $169.1 million, which is below the luxury tax threshold of $170.8 million, while the Thunder has slightly less at $165.6 million. Interestingly, this is the first Finals in two decades where neither contender has surpassed the luxury tax; typically, the majority of championship teams incur this financial penalty.
Impact of Rookie Contracts
Both teams are benefitting significantly from players on rookie contracts. For instance, Thunder’s All-Star Jalen Williams had a salary of just $4.8 million, while fellow starter Chet Holmgren earns $10.9 million. On the Pacers’ side, Andrew Nembhard emerges as a valuable asset with his contract of only $2 million.
Top Earners and Contract Strategies
Top earners in this crucial series include Indiana’s Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton, each pulling in $42.2 million, making them the highest-paid players in this collision. However, their earnings place them just 19th in the overall league compensation standings. Oklahoma City’s MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is currently on a $35.9 million contract, signed his extension considerably earlier than Haliburton did.
Both Gilgeous-Alexander and Haliburton have signed contracts that maximize their earnings under the league’s salary cap regulations, with their respective contracts allowing their teams financial flexibility to enhance their rosters. For example, the Pacers acquired Siakam and re-signed him, while the Thunder made a significant $29 million per year offer to Isaiah Hartenstein last year.
Historical Context and Future Prospects
Historically, the trajectories of past champions mirror this significant strategy shift as well; for instance, the Denver Nuggets, 2023 champions, saw their star player Nikola Jokić’s salary escalate to $47.6 million just after their title win. Meanwhile, versatility and agility in payroll management allowed both Oklahoma City and Indiana to reach this point.
Importantly, both teams belong to the league’s lower valuation tiers, with the Pacers estimated at $3.74 billion and the Thunder at $3.55 billion. This represents a major historical point as it’s the first time since 1991 that two of the league’s bottom ten teams in terms of value reach the Finals.
Conclusion: A Championship Awaits
Ultimately, both franchises have yet to claim an NBA championship during their respective histories, with the Pacers capturing three ABA titles back in the early 1970s. One of these two franchises will finally celebrate its first NBA championship parade after this month’s conclusion of the series, marking a new chapter in their sports history.
