All articles tagged with #oklahoma city thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returned to X to publicly congratulate Russell Westbrook on his retirement, posting for the first time in years. Although Westbrook and Gilgeous-Alexander never played together in Oklahoma City, Westbrook’s storied Thunder career is celebrated as he nears Hall of Fame consideration, with speculation that his jersey could be retired at the Paycom Center.
Charlie Villanueva paid tribute to Russell Westbrook after Westbrook's retirement announcement, posting a clip from their infamous 2016 clash and saying that despite their on-court battles, he respects Westbrook's competitive spirit; Westbrook retires after 18 seasons, most recently with the Sacramento Kings in 2025-26, leaving as the all-time leader in triple-doubles and the highest-scoring point guard in NBA history.
In a three‑team deal among the Thunder, Hawks and Mavericks, Lu Dort moves to Atlanta, Zaccharie Risacher lands with Dallas, and Ryan Nembhard goes to Atlanta, while Oklahoma City collects three second‑round picks. The trade reduces OKC’s depth and nudges the team closer to luxury‑tax territory, highlighting a cost‑cutting strategy by management after last season’s title and amid cap pressures.
Oklahoma City trades Lu Dort to Atlanta and sends Ryan Nembhard to the Hawks, while Dallas lands Zaccharie Risacher and the Thunder receive three future second‑round picks. The move bolsters Atlanta’s defense by adding Dort alongside Daniels and Walker and gives Dort a potential extension window, while OKC clears cap space but loses fan-favorite depth; Risacher gets a fresh start in Dallas as each side pursues its financial and competitive goals.
The piece argues Brad Stevens deserves credit for risking the NBA’s second luxury-tax apron to build a Banner 18 Celtics, while contrasting Oklahoma City’s cost-cutting moves, including trading Lu Dort, to avoid the same tax pitfalls and keep teams competitive under cap rules.
The Oklahoma City Thunder traded Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks in a three‑team deal that also involves the Dallas Mavericks; OKC will receive three second‑round picks from Atlanta, which also sends Dort and Ryan Nembhard to Dallas, while Dallas lands Atlanta forward Zaccharie Risacher. Thunder GM Sam Presti discusses the Dort trade and other offseason moves in an exclusive interview.
Oklahoma City Thunder GM Sam Presti framed the three-team trade sending Luguentz Dort to the Hawks as a financial decision designed to save about $100 million in salary and tax penalties, freeing cap space to pursue future signings while keeping the team competitive. Presti said the savings allow more basketball decisions down the line, and noted Dort’s character, while adding that young guards Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell will take on bigger roles next season; the team also moved Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe as part of the financial reshaping.
Atlanta lands guard Lu Dort from Oklahoma City in a three-team deal that also sends Ryan Nembhard to Atlanta and Zaccharie Risacher to Dallas, while Oklahoma City collects three future second-round picks; Dort teams with Dyson Daniels to form a strong defensive wing duo for the Hawks.
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-87 in a Las Vegas Summer League showdown, moving to 2-2 while OKC sits at 0-4. Dallas built a 22-point cushion in the second/third quarters before a late 13-2 Thunder surge narrowed the gap. Sergio de Larrea ran the offense with 14 assists and 9 rebounds, delivering multiple eye-popping lob passes and flash of playmaking that captivated the crowd, though he went 1-for-6 from the field. Seva Ishchenko contributed 12 points and 7 rebounds, showing length and versatility. First-year coach Dusty May discussed learning the roster, defensive potential, and lauded de Larrea’s progress, while Akobundu-Ehiogu (12 points on 5-for-8) and Cooper Flagg were highlighted for their roles. The piece notes many summer league players may not stay long-term, but the game offered bright ideas about Dallas’ depth and future prospects.
Yaxel Lendeborg led Golden State with a game-high 14 points in a 104-79 Summer League win over Oklahoma City, adding two rebounds, four assists and three steals while shooting 5-for-14 overall and 4-for-8 from three. He outplayed former Michigan teammate Aday Mara, including a notable jump-ball win, and showcased his scoring flair, though his defense remains a work in progress. The Warriors moved to 4-1 in Las Vegas as they prep for their next game against Memphis.
The Oklahoma City Thunder reportedly re-signed center Isaiah Hartenstein to a three-year, $75 million extension that will keep him in OKC through the 2028-29 season; the deal adds to the core built for a title run, with Hartenstein having averaged 11.2 PPG in the Thunder’s championship season and 9.2 PPG on strong shooting this past year. The Thunder have also traded bench players Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe this offseason as they reshape the roster.
The Oklahoma City Thunder reached a three-year, $75 million extension with Isaiah Hartenstein, keeping him in OKC through the 2028-29 season for a total of about $134 million with the franchise and a mutual option for 2028. The deal includes a 15% trade kicker, comes as OKC navigates a high-payroll and second-apron constraints with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams on max deals, and follows Hartenstein’s strong 2024-25 seasons in which he averaged around 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Detroit reportedly lands guard Isaiah Joe from Oklahoma City for two future second-round picks, adding 3-point shooting to a high-scoring Pistons lineup as OKC continues roster reshaping.
OKC drafted Aday Mara at No. 12 and moved up to No. 16 to select Bennett Stirtz, aiming to strengthen rim protection and playmaking on rookie-scale deals as they chase another deep playoff run. Mara adds versatile frontcourt size with elite reach and elbow-pass potential; Stirtz brings high-IQ, pick-and-roll scoring and shooting, though defense and strength aren’t elite. Neither is likely to play major minutes right away, but both fit Presti’s plan to add ready-made contributors and depth.
The Grizzlies traded the No.16 pick Bennett Stirtz to the Thunder in exchange for Oklahoma City’s No.17 pick and two future second-rounders (2030 and 2033). Stirtz, a 2026 Iowa guard known for scoring and playmaking but with defensive questions, heads to OKC as part of a move to augment a young Thunder roster. Memphis then moved down again, from No.17 to No.21, in a separate deal with Detroit.