Category: OKC Thunder Blog

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed forward Nick Collison to a multi-year contract extension, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. Per team policy, the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“Nick Collison has shown an unwavering commitment to our organization through his willingness to accept various roles and his dedication to his teammates throughout his seven-year career with our franchise,” said Presti. “He brings a smart, physical, and hard working approach to our defense and is one of our most active players in the community. We are thrilled that Nick will remain a core member of our team and continue his career with the franchise that drafted him.”

Collison is currently averaging 4.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in six games since returning from a bruised right knee that caused him to miss the first eight games of the season. The 6-10 Kansas University product holds career averages of 7.7 points and 6.6 rebounds in 460 career NBA games, all with the Thunder organization. Collison entered the 2010-11 season among the franchise’s all-time career leaders in rebounds (8th, 3,013 career rebounds), blocks (10th, 309 career blocks), field goal percentage (3rd, .529) and games played (9th, 454 career games).

“I am thrilled to continue my career with the Thunder organization,” said Collison. “I have spent many years with the franchise and I am excited to continue building with this group of players. I am looking forward to what the future holds for this team and community.”

Collison, originally drafted 12th overall in the 2003 NBA draft by the Oklahoma City franchise, was an Associated Press First Team All-America selection and Big 12 Player of the Year as a senior at Kansas. He was also named to the 2003 NCAA All-Final Four Team after leading Kansas to the Championship Game. The Iowa Falls native left KU as the second leading scorer (2,097 points) and third leading rebounder (1,143 rebounds) in school history.

John Rohde of the Oklahoman reports:

Thunder power forward Nick Collison, who has yet to practice or play this season, had an MRI taken early last week and said the result were good.

Collison said he has intensified his work during rehabilitation. Though he still has no exact timetable on his return, Collison said he is encouraged with the test results. “Still going forward,” Collison said. “It’s good to be moving forward rather than moving backward.”

Backup center Byron Mullens, who has been inactive all season, is battling the flu. He did not make the West Coast trip last week and was not at Saturday’s practice.

The Oklahoma City Thunder has exercised third-year options on guard James Harden, forward Serge Ibaka, guard Eric Maynor and center Byron Mullens, as well as fourth-year options on guard Russell Westbrook and forward D.J. White Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today.

Harden (6-5, 220) averaged 9.9 points (8th among rookies), 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 22.8 minutes in 76 games during his rookie campaign. The third overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft, was named to the 2009-10 T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

Ibaka (6-10, 240) appeared in 73 games for the Thunder last season and averaged 6.3 points, 5.4 rebounds (4th among rookies), 1.33 blocks (1st among rookies) and 18.1 minutes per contest.  The Republic of Congo native was selected by Oklahoma City with the 24th overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft.

Maynor (6-3, 170) averaged 4.7 points, 1.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists (7th among rookies) and 15.7 minutes in 81 games (two starts) with Utah and Oklahoma City. Originally selected by the Jazz with the 20th overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft, Maynor was acquired along with Matt Harpring from Utah in exchange for the draft rights to Peter Fehse on December 22, 2009.

Mullens (7-0, 275) saw action in 13 contests for Oklahoma City and averaged 1.1 points in 4.2 minutes.  The Columbus, OH native played in 27 games with the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League, averaging 15.0 points and 7.5 rebounds in 31.5 minutes.

Westbrook (6-3, 187) has averaged 15.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 33.4 minutes in 164 games (147 starts) during his first two NBA seasons.  The third-year guard competed with the USA Men’s Basketball National Team at the World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey helping the USA earn Gold for the first time since 1994.

White (6-9, 251) has averaged 6.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 12.2 minutes during his first two NBA seasons.  The Tuscaloosa, AL native saw action in 10 games last season for the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League, averaging a double-double with 20.2 points and 11.1 rebounds in 39.2 minutes.

The Oklahoma City Thunder waived guard Jerome Dyson and guard Elijah Millsap it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Dyson saw action in two games this preseason for Oklahoma City, averaging 4.5 points and 1.0 rebound in 6.5 minutes.

Millsap appeared in four games for the Thunder, averaging 3.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 12.5 minutes.

Oklahoma City’s roster now stands at 15.

Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today that the team has added center Longar Longar to the training camp roster.

Longar (6-11, 230), spent last season in the NBA Development League, averaging 6.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 20.4 minutes in 11 games (four starts) with the Los Angeles D-Fenders and Bakersfield Jam. He spent four seasons at the University of Oklahoma averaging 7.2 points, on 53.8% shooting from the field, 4.3 rebounds and 17.8 minutes in 112 games (45 starts).

Oklahoma City Thunder center Nenad Krstic underwent successful surgery this morning to repair a fracture to the second finger on his right hand. The surgery was performed in Oklahoma City by Thunder team physicians.

Krstic suffered the injury in the final game of the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. Krstic averaged 13.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in 23.6 minutes per game while helping lead Serbia to a fourth place finish at the World Championships.

The 7-0 center is expected to be ready for the Thunder’s opening night contest against the Chicago Bulls.

Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today a restructuring of the Thunder Basketball Operations department.

The Thunder promoted Troy Weaver to VP/Assistant General Manager, Rob Hennigan to Assistant General Manager/Player Personnel, Paul Rivers to Director of Minor League Operations and Basketball Technology and Brandon Barnett to Director of Minor League Scouting and Manager of Minor League Operations. The team added Michael Winger as Assistant General Manager/Legal and Administration and David Vanterpool as Pro Scout.

“We are pleased to continue to promote from within our organization while also bringing in new people who will enhance and compliment our current staff” said Presti. “The promotions for Troy, Rob, Paul and Brandon are well deserved. They are selfless workers who are extremely committed to our organization.” Presti added, “We are fortunate to have the opportunity to also add people such as Michael and David to our team; both will enhance our organization and help us grow in a positive direction.”

Weaver, who enters his third season with the Thunder organization, spent the previous two seasons as Assistant General Manager focusing on roster development and day-to-day basketball operations. Weaver joined the Thunder after spending four seasons in the Utah Jazz front office. The Maryland native began his career as a coach and spent nine seasons as a collegiate coach with Syracuse University, University of New Mexico and University of Pittsburgh before moving to the NBA.

Hennigan spent the previous two seasons as the Thunder’s Director, of College/International Player Personnel where he focused on NBA Draft preparation and assisted on the day-to-day operations of the Thunder’s front office. Prior to joining the Thunder, from 2004-2001, Hennigan spent four seasons with the San Antonio Spurs working his way from basketball operations intern  to Director of Basketball Operations.

Rivers enters his fourth season with the Thunder. He served as the Director of Basketball Administration and Technology for the past three seasons. Rivers joined the Thunder after serving as a video coordinator with the Detroit Pistons (2005-07) and the San Antonio Spurs (2004-05). He spent two years working for head Coach Tom Izzo as a member of Michigan State University’s basketball program. Rivers will oversee the operations for the Thunder’s Minor League affiliate in Tulsa.

Barnett joined the Thunder in 2008 as the team’s Manager of Minor League Operations and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Tulsa 66ers. Prior to joining the Thunder, Barnett spent two seasons at the NBA league office in New York. Barnett will oversee Minor League Scouting Operations in his new role.

Winger joins the Thunder from the Cleveland Cavaliers where he served as Director of Basketball Operations & Team Counsel.  He enjoyed five seasons with the Cavaliers in various front office capacities, working on all matters within basketball operations. Winger will focus on player contract negotiations and drafting, salary cap management, as well as other basketball legal and administrative duties.

Vanterpool joins the Thunder from CSKA in Moscow, Russia where he was most recently an assistant coach for the European power. Vanterpool enjoyed a 14-year playing career in the US and Europe, most recently with CSKA where he helped lead the team to the Russian Championship and the Russian Cup in both 2005-06 and 2006-07. He was a member of the 2006 Euroleague Championship team. The 6-4 guard, who played 27 games with the Washington Wizards during the 2000-01 season, also played professionally in Italy and China. Vanterpool will focus on Professional Scouting in the United States and Overseas.

The Oklahoma City Thunder has begun the process of negotiating with potential new naming rights partners for the Ford Center arena, team officials announced today.

The original naming rights contract allowed the team to terminate the existing agreement should an NBA franchise come to Oklahoma City.

The Thunder entered into discussions with the current naming rights partner, the Oklahoma Ford Dealers, but a new agreement could not be reached. As a result, the Thunder has now officially terminated the existing naming rights agreement and entered into a period of negotiations with other potential partners.

Until those negotiations are complete, the team will have no further public comment.