Russell Westbrook’s jersey retirement has already pushed the Thunder into bigger territory, because once No. 0 goes up in the rafters on February 7th, the next question comes fast: who’s next?
That debate lands squarely on Kevin Durant, and it’s not a clean one. He’s still active, but the case for his eventual place in Thunder history is right there, even if it still stings plenty of Oklahoma City fans.
The pain is obvious and old. Durant’s departure after the Thunder blew a 3-1 series lead to the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 Western Conference Finals remains the part of his story that fans in Oklahoma City have never gotten over. He didn’t just leave the team - he joined the very franchise that knocked them out the year before.
But the end of that relationship can’t erase what came before it.
Durant’s Thunder résumé is massive. He won four scoring titles, an MVP award, and helped lead Oklahoma City to four Western Conference Finals appearances.
In 2012, he was part of the run to the franchise’s first-ever NBA Finals. He was also an All-Star in all seven of his seasons in Bricktown.
On accomplishments alone, it’s hard to make the argument against retiring his number.
That’s why this issue feels so messy. If the Thunder eventually retire Durant’s jersey, plenty of people will still be stuck on the way he left. If they don’t, others will see that as a decision driven by resentment instead of basketball logic, and that would undercut the meaning of the honor itself.
So Oklahoma City may be headed for a no-win situation, one where the fanbase is likely to be split no matter what happens.
Still, GM Sam Presti has not steered the organization wrong to this point, and the expectation is that whatever he and ownership decide will be carefully considered and fitting.
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Jared McCain Is Giving The Thunder A Reason To Stay Patient
Jared McCains recent shooting slump has been hard to miss, with the rookie going 1 of 22 from three over his last four games and sitting at 33.7 percent overall on the season. Even so, the Thunder have not rushed to shrink his role, and Mark Daigneault has kept leaning on him because McCain keeps finding ways to help beyond the box score.
The defense has been the biggest reason for that patience. McCain has been active, disruptive and willing to do the dirty work, limiting opponents efficiency while chipping in on rebounds, deflections and charges drawn. For a young guard trying to settle in, that kind of two-way impact can buy a lot of runway, even when the shot isnt falling. [Read more 🡒]
Mark Daigneault Hinted At What Thunder Needed From These Roster Fixes
The Thunder used their latest roster moves to reinforce the kind of depth and versatility they keep chasing at the margins, adding Micah Peavy to a two-way spot and bringing in Dalen Terry for their final standard roster opening. Both players fit the broad profile Oklahoma City tends to value, and head coach Mark Daigneault pointed to their physical tools and the ways they might help the team in different spots.
The shuffle also came with a difficult casualty, as Otega Oweh was waived after an injury setback. For a team that has spent years fine-tuning the back end of the roster, these kinds of decisions are rarely just procedural. They usually say something about what the Thunder think they still need, even if the full picture of how these pieces will fit is still taking shape. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers Collapse Is Reviving A Nightmare Fans Tried To Forget
The Clippers rough start has a familiar ripple effect for Oklahoma City, where every Los Angeles stumble tends to be viewed through the lens of the franchises long-term asset haul. The Thunder still have draft flexibility tied to that old Paul George deal, and with the Clippers struggling, the possibility of adding a stronger first-round position has quietly become part of the conversation again.
For a Thunder team dealing with injuries and keeping one eye on the salary cap, that kind of future leverage matters. It also raises the stakes on how Oklahoma City plans its next few seasons, because a better draft slot could put another premium prospect within reach at a time when the roster will need both depth and financial precision. [Read more 🡒]