OKC Thunder Blog – Page 31 – NBA Blog

Thunder add Michael Qualls to training camp roster

The Oklahoma City Thunder signed guard Michael Qualls, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. It’s likely a non-guaranteed deal that merely brings Qualls to training camp.

Qualls (6-6, 205), joins the Thunder after a three-year collegiate career at the University of Arkansas where he appeared in 100 games (56 starts) and averaged 11.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 23.8 minutes per game. This past season, Qualls received Second-Team All SEC honors after averaging 15.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game during his junior year.

The Oklahoma City Thunder roster now stands at 19.

Sunset-colored Thunder alternate jerseys

The Oklahoma City Thunder today revealed a third alternate uniform for 2015-16. The team will first wear its new sunset-colored alternates on Sunday, Nov. 1, at Chesapeake Energy Arena against the Denver Nuggets.

The new uniform’s bold color pairs with “OKC” in navy block lettering on the front to showcase the team’s hometown pride and reflect the saturated, blended colors of the Oklahoma skies at sunset.

On the back of the jersey, player names sit below the numbers. The shorts display a sunset base with navy panels down the side showcasing the Thunder logo on each leg.

“This new uniform not only features another of our primary team colors, it also reinforces the strong connection our team has to our hometown and home state,” said Brian Byrnes, Thunder senior vice president of Sales and Marketing. “The ‘OKC’ on the front of the jersey echoes the chant that rings through Chesapeake Energy Arena during Thunder home games. This sunset-colored uniform adds a fresh perspective on the identity our team has built over the past seven seasons.”

The Thunder will wear the sunset alternates for 18 games this season, including all 13 of its Sunday matchups. This marks the fifth Thunder uniform in regular rotation. The home white and road Thunder blue uniforms will remain the team’s primary options, while fans will also see the team in the navy alternates and the sleeved white uniform for select games.

Kevin Durant cleared to play without limitations

You forgot — at least a little — about Kevin Durant. Not totally. You remember he existed, of course. But the domination he regularly unleashes on the court hasn’t been on your mind in a while. Well, if all goes well, he’ll soon serve up some helpful reminders. Here’s the Oklahoman reporting:

In 2011, Nike leveraged Durant’s obsession into an ad campaign labeled Basketball Never Stops. At the time, for KD, it so rarely did. His most serious NBA injury was a minor ankle sprain.

Then the foot fracture happened last October. Then the setbacks followed. Then the bone graft ended his season. Then a summer of rehab and reflection and careful progression bled into this upcoming, all-important nine months for both Durant and his franchise.

Sam Presti unofficially opened it on Wednesday afternoon with his preseason state of the Thunder address. In it, he said Durant has received full medical clearance for training camp. He’s been doing non-contact court drills since late July. But that recently progressed to full-speed 5-on-5 scrimmages, the last step in his long road back.

“In terms of limitations, he doesn’t have any,” Presti said.

But that doesn’t mean there won’t be precaution.

Video: Russell Westbrook explosiveness

Enjoy this video showcasing the explosiveness of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook:

Kevin Durant being careful in return

Here’s ESPN.com with an update on an NBA superstar who you haven’t thought about much lately. But he’ll be back. Just you wait.

Four months after his latest foot surgery, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant says that he “can go 100 percent” but hasn’t played in any 5-on-5 games yet as he takes a measured approach to this latest comeback.

“I’ve got to play against the guys to really see, but I feel like I’m back to myself,” Durant said after the first day of training at this USA Basketball minicamp.

Asked if he could play in a game if needed, Durant laughed and said, “I haven’t played since February, so of course, I’m human, I’d go through some rust. But I think after two trips down I’d be all right.”

Thunder sign forward Josh Huestis

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed forward Josh Huestis to a contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

“We are excited to add Josh to our roster as he allows us to continue to increase our depth through his athleticism and versatility,” Presti said. “Josh knows our culture and our organization as a result of his time with the Blue and we look forward to his continued development with the Thunder.”

Huestis (6-7, 230) joins the Thunder after spending the past season with the Oklahoma City Blue where he appeared in 44 games (43 starts) and averaged 10.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.57 blocks (13th in NBADL) in 33.1 minutes per game.

The Thunder selected Huestis with the 29th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

The Great Falls, Mont. native spent four seasons at Stanford and averaged 7.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.41 blocks in 135 career games. During both his junior and senior seasons, he was named to the Pac-12 Defensive Team and at the conclusion of his sophomore season, he received Pac-12 Defensive Team Honorable Mention honors.

Thunder trade Perry Jones to Celtics

The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired a trade exception and a protected 2018 second round draft pick from the Boston Celtics in exchange for forward Perry Jones, a 2019 second round draft pick and cash considerations, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Jones III, a 6’11” forward, appeared in 43 contests for the Thunder during the 2014-15 regular season and averaged 4.3 points and 1.8 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per game. He recorded a season-high 32 points on 10-17 (.588) shooting from the field, seven rebounds, three assists and one block in 42 minutes of action on October 30, 2014 against the Los Angeles Clippers.

He was originally selected with the 28th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder and is averaging 3.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in 11.7 minutes on his career.

The Thunder will have one year from today to exercise the trade exception.

Thunder match offer sheet, retain Enes Kanter

The Oklahoma City Thunder has exercised its right of first refusal and matched the offer sheet extended to center Enes Kanter by the Portland Trail Blazers, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

“We traded for Enes last season with the intention of keeping him as a member of the Thunder for several years to come, and we are excited that he will continue with us,” said Presti. “He adds valuable depth to our roster, diversity to our frontcourt and the dimension that he brings offensively will positively impact our team.”

In 26 games this past season with the Thunder, Kanter averaged 18.7 points to go along with 11.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 31.1 minutes per contest. Since being acquired from the Utah Jazz on Feb. 19, the 23-year-old Kanter registered 17 double-doubles, including a Thunder record eight straight double-doubles in late March.

Originally selected third overall in the 2011 NBA draft, Kanter recorded at least 20 points and 10 rebounds 11 times with Oklahoma City this past season. Prior to Kanter’s arrival, no Thunder center had ever recorded a single 20-point/10-rebound game.

Including his career-high 30-point effort on Apr. 1 vs Dallas, Kanter scored 20 or more points in 12 of his 26 appearances this past season with the Thunder. On March 24 against the LA Lakers, Kanter became the only player in the NBA this past season to record 15+ points and 10+ rebounds in the first quarter alone.

Kanter has appeared in 291 career games and owns career averages of 10.2 points and 6.4 rebounds in 21.4 minutes.

Thunder sign rookie Cameron Payne

Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today that the team has signed rookie guard Cameron Payne.

As a first round draft pick, Payne was guaranteed to receive a contract. This signing is standard.

Selected by the Thunder with the 14th pick in last month’s NBA Draft, Payne (6-2,180) appeared in 69 games in two seasons at Murray State, averaging 18.5 points, 5.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.81 steals in 32.4 minutes per game.

As a sophomore, Payne was named the Lute Olson Player of the Year, an award given to the top NCAA player with at least two seasons of experience, after leading the Racers to a 29-6 season, which included an Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) regular-season championship and a pair of wins in the National Invitational Tournament.

During his sophomore season, the guard led the Racers to a 25-game winning streak (second longest in the nation) while averaging 20.2 points (13th in NCAA), 6.0 assists (15th in NCAA), 1.94 steals and 32.2 minutes in 35 games. He was named OVC MVP and Honorable Mention AP All-American. The Memphis, Tenn. native, appeared in 34 games as a freshman, averaging 16.8 points, 5.4 assists and 1.68 steals in 32.6 minutes per game. He was named All-OVC First Team, OVC Freshman of the Year and earned an MSU record nine OVC Freshman of the Week awards.

Thunder re-sign Kyle Singler

The Oklahoma City Thunder has signed forward Kyle Singler to a multi-year contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

“Kyle Singler has consistently demonstrated a selfless, hard-working and committed approach that we are always working towards for the identity of Oklahoma City Thunder Basketball,” said Presti. “His size, shooting, willingness to accept various roles and solid fundamental base will help us continue to build the overall depth of our team.”

This past season, Singler appeared in 80 games (58 starts) with Detroit and Oklahoma City, averaging 6.0 points while shooting .398 (96-of-241) from beyond the arc, 2.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 21.8 minutes. In 26 games (18 starts) with Oklahoma City, the forward averaged 3.7 points and 2.1 rebounds in 17.6 minutes per game.

Singler was acquired from Detroit on February 19, 2015 along with guard D.J. Augustin in exchange for guard Reggie Jackson. He was originally selected by the Pistons with the 33rd overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft after a successful collegiate career at Duke.

The Medford, Ore. native spent four seasons with the Blue Devils, setting career records for games played (148), consecutive games played (148), games started (147), minutes played (4,887) and finished his career fourth in points scored (2,392). Singler led Duke to an NCAA title his junior season and was named NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player.

Singler spent the 2011-12 season in Spain with CB Lucentum Alciante (10 games) and Real Madrid (32 games). In 10 games with Alciante, Singler averaged 14.4 points on .467 shooting from the field and 3.4 rebounds. In 32 games with Real Madrid, he averaged 7.8 points on .560 shooting from the floor and 2.2 rebounds.

He has appeared in 244 career NBA games (168 starts) and owns career averages of 8.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist on .378 shooting (260-of-687) in 26.1 minutes per game.