OKC Thunder: Top-10 players in franchise history

8. Nick Collison

If Nick Collison is not on your all-time Thunder list then please step away.

March 1, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jeremy Lin (17) is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Nick Collison (4) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports — March 1, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jeremy Lin (17) is defended by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Nick Collison (4) during the first half at Staples Center. Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Collison may not be the most talented member on the Thunder. What he has done is provide Oklahoma City with the consummate pro, someone who the young players can look up to. Collison has stayed with OKC since his SuperSonics days, where he was a lottery pick in the 2003 draft. 13 seasons later and the power forward is still going strong.

His minutes may be reduced, but that may be a positive for the Thunder. Less time on the court means more time on the bench with the rest of the roster. With KD, Serge and Nazr Mohammed gone, OKC is looking at their youngest roster in years. Collison will have to be some sort of player-coach this season, teaching the young guys as much as he can before his career is over. That’s been his role in the organization for years now, and there’s no sign that will change anytime soon.