The 2016–17 Oklahoma City Thunder season was the 9th season of the franchise in Oklahoma City and the 51st in the National Basketball Association (NBA). On the April 9, Russell Westbrook broke the record of Oscar Robertson of most triple-doubles in a season with 42. Westbrook would go on to be named the League's MVP in June.
The Thunder would finish the regular season with a 47–35 record, securing the 6th seed. In the playoffs, they faced off against the Houston Rockets in the First Round, in which they lost in five games.
This was the Thunder's first season since 2007–08 without Kevin Durant, as he left the Thunder and signed with the Golden State Warriors.
The Thunder finished the 2015–16 season 55–27 to finish in first place in the Northwest Division, third in the Western Conference and qualified for the playoffs. Last season featured the Thunder making their fourth conference finals appearance since relocating to Oklahoma City before falling to the Golden State Warriors after leading the series 3-1.
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The Thunder did not own their first-round pick or second-round pick entering the draft.[1] The Thunder had their 2016 first-round pick conveyed to the Philadelphia 76ers after being originally acquired by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Dion Waiters trade back in 2015.[2] The Thunder had their 2015 first-round pick protected top 18 however did not convey as the Thunder ended up with the 14th pick. The protections became protected top 15 which rolled over to the Thunder's 2016 first-round pick, ending up as 26th overall. The Thunder also traded their 2016 second-round pick in the Randy Foye trade with the Denver Nuggets in 2016.[3]
On draft night, the Thunder traded Serge Ibaka to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and the draft rights to Domantas Sabonis, the eleventh pick.[4] The Thunder also traded for the draft rights to Daniel Hamilton, the fifty-sixth pick, from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for cash considerations.[5]
The Thunder ended 2016 NBA draft night with Gonzaga forward Domantas Sabonis, UConn guard Daniel Hamilton as well as Victor Oladipo and Ersan Ilyasova.[6]
On June 23, the Thunder traded Serge Ibaka to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova, and the draft rights to Domantas Sabonis, the eleventh pick.[7] Ibaka was set to hit unrestricted free agency following the 2016-17 season and was becoming unsatisfied with his role on the team, particularly his touches on offense. With the growing sentiment that Ibaka would look for another team in free agency as well as Kevin Durant's upcoming free agency, the Thunder decided to gamble to strengthen their position to keep Durant.[8]
Tonight represented an opportunity to build the versatility, depth and skill of our basketball team. Victor, Ersan and Domantas represent the character, work ethic and toughness that we relentlessly pursue with the Thunder. Through the continued emergence and development of our core, we were able to capitalize on the opportunity to acquire three highly skilled professionals. I want to acknowledge Serge for his contributions to the ongoing legacy of the Thunder. He has been integral to our success and growth, has been a great community member and we wish him only the best.[9]
— Sam Presti
Oladipo came to the Thunder as the second overall pick of the 2013 NBA draft with career averages of 15.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.6 steals during his three year stint with the Orlando Magic that saw an All-Rookie First Team selection in 2014. The same day, the Thunder traded cash considerations to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Daniel Hamilton, the fifty-sixth pick.[10]
On August 30, the Thunder traded two 2017 second-round picks to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Joffrey Lauvergne.[11]
For this offseason, free agency began on July 1, 2016, while the July moratorium ended on July 6. Kevin Durant, Randy Foye, Nazr Mohammed and Dion Waiters were set to hit unrestricted free agency. On July 4, it was reported that Kevin Durant agreed to a two-year, $54.3 million deal with the Golden State Warriors, which he later signed on July 7.[12][13] Prior to his decision, Durant met with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and the LA Clippers. Durant announced his decision to leave the Thunder on The Players' Tribune citing "by far the most challenging few weeks in my professional life."[14] Durant spent all nine seasons with the Thunder organization, one year in Seattle. Durant joined the Warriors as a seven-time All Star, All-NBA First Team honors five times, All-NBA Second Team honors once and named the NBA Most Valuable Player award in 2014. Coming off an injury-riddled 2014-15 season, Durant's final act with the Thunder came off a 55–27 record, defeating the 67-win San Antonio Spurs and nearly defeating the record setting 73-9 Golden State Warriors after leading 3-1 to lose in seven games.[15]
After Durant announced his intentions to sign with the Warriors, Thunder owner Clay Bennett and Thunder general manager Sam Presti released statements commemorating Durant.
Kevin's contributions to our organization during his nine years were profound, on and off the court. He helped the Thunder grow and succeed in immeasurable ways and impacted the community just the same. We thank him for his leadership, his play, and how he represented Oklahoma City and the entire state of Oklahoma.[16]
— Clay Bennett
Kevin made an indelible mark on the Thunder organization and the state of Oklahoma as a founding father of this franchise. We can't adequately articulate what he meant to the foundation of this franchise and our success. While clearly disappointing that he has chosen to move on, the core values that he helped establish only lead to us thanking him for the many tangible and intangible ways that he helped our program.[17]
— Sam Presti
Durant's move to the Warriors was received negatively who viewed his exit as "the easy way out" to winning a championship. The decision was commonly compared to LeBron James joining the Miami Heat back in 2010.[18]
On July 15, Randy Foye signed a deal with the Brooklyn Nets.[19] On July 26, Dion Waiters signed a deal with the Miami Heat after he became an unrestricted free agent.[20] After the signing of Alex Abrines, the Thunder rescinded Waiters' qualifying offer in order to prioritize flexibility.[21]
On July 23, Alex Abrines signed a rookie deal with the Thunder. Abrines was originally selected 32nd overall in the 2013 NBA draft but did not sign a contract in the 2013-14 season, instead playing three seasons with FC Barcelona.[22] On August 11, it was reported that Ronnie Price agreed to a two-year, $5 million deal with the Thunder, which he later signed on August 14.[23][24] On August 20, Semaj Christon signed a rookie deal with the Thunder. Christon was originally selected 55th overall in the 2014 NBA draft but did not sign a contract in the 2014-15 season, instead playing two seasons with the Oklahoma City Blue.[25] With the emergence of Christon, the Thunder decided to waive Price's guaranteed contract along with Mitch McGary to finalize the regular season roster.[26] McGary was suspended for a total of 15 games to start the season due to a drug violation. Originally picked 21st overall in the 2014 NBA draft, McGary suffered an injury-riddled second season with the Thunder after a promising rookie year.[27]
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After Durant's departure, Westbrook's future with the Thunder was speculated with trade rumors. However on August 4, Russell Westbrook agreed to a renegotiation-and-extension of his contract worth $85.7 million.[28][29]
I am grateful to extend my contract with the Thunder and continue to play with the only organization that I have played for and have loved being a part of since I was drafted into the NBA. I'm really excited about moving forward with this group of guys and continuing to play in front of the best fans in the world.[30]
— Russell Westbrook
On October 31, the Thunder re-signed Steven Adams and Victor Oladipo to multi-year contract extensions.[31] Playing on their last year of their rookie contracts, both Adams and Oladipo were selected in the 2013 NBA draft. Andre Roberson, who was also in the draft, did not reach a deal with the Thunder. Oladipo agreed to a four-year, $84 million deal while Adams agreed to a four-year, $100 million deal.[32]
On June 1, Billy Donovan announced associate head coach Monty Williams would not return to the Thunder for the 2016-17 season. Williams did not return to the Thunder during the 2015-16 season following the death of his wife, Ingrid.[33]
On July 1, the Thunder announced Adrian Griffin, Vin Bhavnani and Royal Ivey as assistant coaches. Griffin joins the Thunder after serving as an assistant coach with the Orlando Magic. Bhavnani joins the coaching staff after serving as the manager of advanced scouting/player development for the Thunder. Ivey joins the coaching staff after serving as a player development assistant for the Thunder.[34]
After all games.[36]
‡ Waived during the season
† Traded during the season
≠ Acquired during the season
After all games.[37]