Oklahoma City Thunder Articles - Page 119

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder's Darius Bazley confident he can handle the problems every NBA rookie faces

There comes a time for every successful first-year NBA player when he hits the proverbial rookie wall. Those guys are lucky compared to the vast majority of rookies, too. Most first-year players barely get off the bench, and if they do, normally haven’t made enough of a consistently positive impact to have avoided the rookie […]

Oklahoma City ThunderShai Gilgeous-Alexander is ready for a breakout 2019-20 NBA season

After trading away franchise star Russell Westbrook and 2019 MVP candidate Paul George, the Oklahoma City Thunder are entering the stages of a full rebuild. Although they still boast some talent on their roster, it is very likely that it is not enough to contend with the several loaded teams in the Western Conference. It’s […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder GM Sam Presti encouraged by Darius Bazley's ballhandling, but knows it'll be a process with him

The Oklahoma City Thunder took a chance in one of the most unique prospects in the 2019 NBA Draft, selecting Darius Bazley with the 23rd overall pick, a long, dynamic forward who chose to forgo his college eligibility and turned down Syracuse to seek out his own path to the league. Thunder general manager Sam […]

Houston RocketsGrant Hill thinks Russell Westbrook 'wants to prove he can win'

Basketball Hall of Famer Grant Hill recently shared his two cents worth on what he believes motivated Russell Westbrook to make the big move to the Houston Rockets this summer. According to the 46-year-old former Rookie of the Year co-winner, Westbrook’s decision was primarily driven by the former MVP’s incessant desire to win. “I think […]

Oklahoma City ThunderJustin Patton's deal is for 3 years, puts Thunder back over luxury tax by $921,000

Given the circumstances, the Oklahoma City Thunder have done a nice job this summer when it comes to their draft pick situation and salary cap sheet. They got under the luxury tax with trades of Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Jerami Grant, while also securing a ton of first-round picks in the process. According to […]

Philadelphia 76ers5 teams we would have loved to see Kobe Bryant play for

CLUTCH Summary: Rare in the modern NBA, late Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant stayed with one team during his entire career. However, lost in the shuffle of history is the fact he almost once played for another NBA franchise. What-if scenarios are entertaining, and this might be the best of them all: What-if Kobe […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder have toughest month in 2019-20 schedule

The Oklahoma City Thunder, who are in rebuild mode, will have the toughest opening month in the 2019-2020 season. Per Yaya Dubin of nbathlete.com, based on winning percentage, the Thunder are scheduled to face the best teams from last season. Top 5 toughest months of the year: 1. OKC Oct/Nov (.583)1. PHX Feb (.583)3. SAS […]

NBAThe 10 most awaited returns for the 2019-20 NBA season

The 2019 NBA offseason saw a wild wave of changes, with more than 200 players finding new homes in free agency, whether it was by a signing or a trade. NBA stars were not shy to make moves, as some of the game’s biggest names will now suit up in a different jersey. These are […]

Los Angeles LakersReport: MLK Day features Warriors vs. Blazers, Lakers vs. Celtics, Rockets vs. Thunder

The NBA has put on a marquee slate of games for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 20, 2020, notably including some of the best teams matching up against one another. The Golden State Warriors will take on the Portland Trail Blazers, the Los Angeles Lakers will face the Boston Celtics, and the Houston […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder's Darius Bazley believes his physical tools will be an asset in NBA’s position-less basketball

Darius Bazley of the Oklahoma City Thunder believes that his physical profile will be an asset in today’s era of position-less basketball. Per Thunder reporter Nick Gallo the 6-foot-9, 200-pound Bazley shared what he can bring to the table given his size and athleticism. For the 19-year-old, he’ll have the advantage even when he’s matched up […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder rookie Darius Bazley says New Balance internship helped him mature

Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Darius Bazley, who famously earned a million dollars for being an intern at New Balance, shared some of the important life lessons he learned during his stint with the company. The 19-year-old forward said that his three-month stint with New Balance helped him mature as a person. He noted that just […]

Los Angeles ClippersClippers owner Steve Ballmer calls Paul George trade a 'gulp' deal

The Los Angeles Clippers had the biggest offseason of any team, and probably the biggest in franchise history. The Clippers signed free agent Kawhi Leonard, fresh off a championship season in Toronto, and traded for an MVP candidate in Paul George. The move immediately made the Clippers a favorite to win the 2019-2020 NBA title. […]

Oklahoma City ThunderKevin Durant: Ranking the 5 most clutch moments of the star's career

CLUTCH Summary: Now with the Brooklyn Nets, as well as formerly with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant has already had a historically relevant career.  While not yet having a chance to leave his mark with the Nets, both the Thunder and Warriors benefited from Durant’s elite ability to get buckets. […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder guard Chris Paul reacts to NCAA's controversial new agent rules

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Chris Paul is definitely not a fan of the NCAA’s new memorandum pertaining to the eligibility of sports agents who want to potentially represent NCAA players. As a matter of fact, the nine-time All-Star did not hold back when he said that he is absolutely not on the same boat […]

Portland Trail BlazersCJ McCollum thinks 'there would have been a lot of changes in our organization' if Blazers lost to Thunder in 2019 playoffs

Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard CJ McCollum thinks “there would have been a lot of changes in our organization” if Portland lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first-round of the 2019 playoffs. If the Blazers fell to the Thunder, it would have been the third-straight postseason Portland got bounced in the first-round of […]

Portland Trail BlazersCJ McCollum thinks Russell Westbrook, Paul George 'stay together' if OKC makes 2019 Western Conference Finals

Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard CJ McCollum thinks Russell Westbrook and Paul George “stay together” on the Oklahoma City Thunder if OKC makes the 2019 Western Conference Finals instead of the Blazers. Portland defeated the Thunder in five games in the first-round of the playoffs. George requested a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers so […]

Oklahoma City ThunderDanilo Gallinari leaves hospital after appendectomy, rejoins Italy's training camp

We come bearing good news with respect to Oklahoma City Thunder veteran swingman Danilo Gallinari and his recent medical procedure. Basketball insider Emiliano Carchia provided an update on the 30-year-old’s status following an appendectomy, and it appears that the Italian is expected to return to action within a week’s time. Danilo Gallinari has been dismissed […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander announces decision not to play for Team Canada this summer

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander announced his decision to pass on the opportunity to play with Team Canada ahead of the upcoming FIBA 2019 World Cup in China. The young floor general isn’t playing in the competition after he was part of a trade that sent Paul George to his former team, the LA […]

Oklahoma City ThunderReport: Patrick Patterson gave up $3.5 million out of $5.7 million salary in Thunder buyout

Former Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Patrick Patterson agreed to a buyout with the franchise this past week. The nine-year veteran forward gave up $3.5 million of his $5.7 million salary for the 2019-20 season, per The Athletic’s Mike Scotto. Following the buyout between the two parties, Patterson, 30, will sign with the Los Angeles […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder's Danilo Gallinari undergoes appendectomy

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Danilo Gallinari went through a successful appendectomy this week, the Italian Basketball Federation announced. Despite the setback, Gallinari will still suit up for Italy in the upcoming FIBA World Cup. According to Eurohoops, the Italian forward already missed the Trentino Cup and will miss the Verona Tournament. Gallinari, however, is expected […]

Oklahoma City ThunderDanilo Gallinari will prioritize joining a contender in 2020 free agency

Although the next NBA offseason is still a year away, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Danilo Gallinari is already thinking about his future. Gallinari was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to OKC last month, and if the Thunder can’t build a championship-contending team anytime soon, he’s not expected to remain there. Gallo will be a […]

Oklahoma City ThunderCarmelo Anthony wishes OKC situation 'would’ve worked out,' says it 'wasn’t handled right'

Carmelo Anthony says he wishes the Oklahoma City Thunder situation “would’ve worked out” and that it “wasn’t handled right.” Anthony played just one season with the Thunder. He averaged 16.2 points while shooting 40.4 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from beyond the arc during the regular season. OKC won 48 games, but lost […]

Oklahoma City ThunderPaul George returns to Oklahoma City to face Thunder on March 3

Los Angeles Clippers small forward Paul George will return to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder on March 3, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports. George played two seasons for the Thunder. He requested a trade this summer to the Clippers so he could play with two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard back home in […]

Oklahoma City ThunderRockets' Russell Westbrook returns to Oklahoma City to face Thunder on Jan. 9

Some key NBA schedule dates have been revealed for the 2019-20 campaign, and among those dates is Jan. 9, when Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook will return to Oklahoma City to face his old Oklahoma City Thunder squad, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. Westbrook was traded from Oklahoma City to Houston […]

Oklahoma City ThunderShould the Thunder trade Steven Adams?

The Oklahoma City Thunder made several franchise-changing moves this offseason. They traded MVP candidate Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers for a boatload of picks. 2017 MVP and Thunder fan favorite Russell Westbrook was the next to go, sent to the Houston Rockets for Chris Paul and even more future selections. The Thunder seem […]

Oklahoma City ThunderShai Gilgeous-Alexander excited to be the next young Thunder prospect to possibly develop into a next-level superstar

The Oklahoma City Thunder will have a massive void without the presence of Russell Westbrook and Paul George on the court after enjoying two seasons of the dynamic duo. The franchise has now put its faith in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a player LA Clippers coach Doc Rivers was hesitant to give up in a trade and […]

Oklahoma City ThunderReport: Patrick Patterson agrees to buyout with Thunder, intends to sign with Clippers

The Oklahoma City Thunder and forward Patrick Patterson have agreed to a buyout for $5.7 million of the final season of his contract, allowing him to become a free agent, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The veteran stretch-four intends to sign with the LA Clippers upon clearing waivers. Patterson could have once again found himself […]

Oklahoma City ThunderNBA exec expects Thunder GM Sam Presti to trade Chris Paul 'for something useful'

An anonymous NBA executive expects Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti to trade veteran point guard Chris Paul “for something useful” down the line. Paul is expected to begin the 2019-20 season on the Thunder. However, Presti will most likely try and find a trade partner for CP3 before the February 2020 trade deadline. […]

Oklahoma City ThunderRival exec believes Thunder ‘might be terrific again’ after a year or two

An NBA rival executive believes that the next season or two will be tough for the Oklahoma City Thunder, but “they might be terrific again” after that, per Keith Smith of RealGM. During free agency, the Thunder traded away franchise stars Russell Westbrook and Paul George. In exchange, they received a ton of first-round draft […]

Oklahoma City ThunderREPORT: Thunder initially had no plans to trade Russell Westbrook and Paul George

Trading Paul George and Russell Westbrook came as a surprise to a lot of people, including some within the Oklahoma City Thunder organization. George was traded from the Thunder to the Clippers earlier this month, joining former San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonard. In the fallout of the trade, OKC was forced […]

Boston CelticsCeltics' Enes Kanter explains 'CAN play Kanter' tweet after Blazers beat Thunder in playoffs

New Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter has some history with critics who have been skeptical about his impact in the most important games. Kanter, 27, has spent eight seasons in the NBA, playing most recently for the New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers this past season. Before that, Kanter spent three-plus years with the […]

Houston RocketsRockets GM Daryl Morey completed Russell Westbrook trade while taking Uber to Summer League game

Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is a busy guy, but that doesn’t mean a car ride in an Uber could prevent him from completing one of the summer’s biggest moves—trading for Russell Westbrook. Per Jonathan Feigen in the Houston Chronicle: In the course of that 20-minute ride — with Morey and [EVP Rafael] Stone […]

Oklahoma City ThunderOKC mayor describes disparate fan reactions to departures of Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant

It’s hardly groundbreaking to submit that Russell Westbrook will receive a far different welcome in his initial return to Chesapeake Energy Arena as an opponent of the Oklahoma City Thunder than Kevin Durant did three years ago. Not only was Westbrook traded by the Thunder whereas Durant left in free agency, but the former’s departure […]

Oklahoma City ThunderRussell Westbrook says his relationship with Thunder is 'something that will stay with me the rest of my life'

Russell Westbrook says his relationship with Oklahoma City and the Thunder organization is “something that will stay with me the rest of my life.” Westbrook is a Thunder legend and was more than just a basketball player to OKC. He was an idol and hero to all the kids in Oklahoma City. The former MVP […]

Houston RocketsRussell Westbrook calls trade from Thunder a 'collaborative effort' and 'the best decision for my career'

Houston Rockets superstar point guard Russell Westbrook says his trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder was a crazy process, but a collaborative effort. Westbrook says the trade talks came quickly and moving to Houston was the best decision for his career. Westbrook on the trade: “It was a crazy process, but a collaborative effort. It […]

Oklahoma City ThunderRanking the 5 best games of Russell Westbrook's career

Russell Westbrook’s tenure with the Oklahoma City Thunder is over. The eight-time All-Star and 2017 NBA MVP was traded earlier this month to the Houston Rockets in a blockbuster deal that sent Chris Paul, two protected first-round selections and future pick swaps to the Thunder. Sources: Pick protections in Thunder/Rockets, Russell Westbrook/Chris Paul trade: 2024 […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder's Hamidou Diallo was blindsided by the Paul George and Russell Westbrook trades

Like most NBA fans, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Hamidou Diallo was shocked when Russell Westbrook and Paul George were traded in the offseason. Diallo spoke on how the trades came out of nowhere for him, blindsiding him both times: “No. No idea at all. That really hit home base. I didn’t know anything. And, I […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder GM Sam Presti says Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has 'tremendous makeup' and is 'a sponge'

To say Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti is excited about young point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would be an understatement. With Russell Westbrook and Paul George gone, the Thunder are handing the keys to the franchise to Gilgeous-Alexander, who is only 21-years-old. “We’re really excited about him,” Presti said, via Maddie Lee of the […]

Oklahoma City ThunderThunder GM Sam Presti can't predict how many years Chris Paul will be in OKC

Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti can’t predict how many years veteran point guard Chris Paul will be in OKC. The Thunder acquired Paul from the Houston Rockets in the blockbuster Russell Westbrook trade. Paul has three years left on his deal. He’ll make $38,506,482 next season, $41,358,814 in 2020-21 and has a player […]

Los Angeles ClippersClippers' Paul George says chance to play with Kawhi Leonard 'seemed like an opportunity that I couldn't pass up'

Paul George says the chance to play with Kawhi Leonard on the Los Angeles Clippers “seemed like an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.” George says he and Leonard spoke during Leonard’s free agency. Once Leonard told George he was leaning toward going back home to California, that’s when George requested a trade from the […]

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