The Thunder won the Western Conference in 2012, beating the Lakers along the way in the Semifinals.

But the complexion of the conference has changed following the Lakers' acquisitions of Dwight Howard and Steve Nash.

"That's what the Lakers do," said Kevin Durant about the trade. "They have great management and ownership to make those moves come to life."

James Harden doesn't believe the Lakers' offseason moves change his opinion that the Thunder remain the team to beat in the Western Conference.

"Of course," said Harden when posed the question.