OKC Thunder In the news wraps up August with Westbrook entering an exclusive club, Presti pulling the plug and Adams getting creative.
Hello Thunder Nation–Catch your breath. This – is – our – year!
No, this week’s top breaking OKC Thunder In The News piece is not about Paul George‘s well-documented re-commitment saga. We’re not rehashing Russell Westbrook‘s yearly championship-worthy revenge campaign. This week, ladies and gentlemen, the culmination of years’ worth of anticipation and serious big news, I present to you…
OKC Thunder waives and stretches Kyle Singler.
That’s right. OKC Thunder are finally letting go of the 6’8″ red-headed, man-bunned, King Kyle of Bench-Warming Fame. Just to put in perspective, forward Kyle Singler played just a little over 47 minutes in his three and a half years with the Thunder, and was paid more than Jerami Grant, Nick Collison, Terrance Ferguson, and Raymond Felton. Our very own TI Yams gives a nice summary recap on his time with OKC from start to finish.
"Presti’s decision to re-sign Singler in the first place still baffles me. He failed to impress in the 26 games he played for the Thunder in the 2014-15 season. It only got worse from there though.In a matter of months, he went from a solid two-way player to a man who got paid to watch the Thunder play. The shooting he was reputed for disappeared into thin air. He simply couldn’t guard anyone at all because he was too slow. That 5-year contract he signed turned into dead weight."
No matter what, Thunder is family, and we will always appreciate his contribution. However, it is certainly a smart move from GM Sam Presti to cut his financial impact on the books, along with trading Carmelo Anthony this offseason, at a time when OKC has some of the highest-paid athletes in the league.
Oklahoma City is using the waive and stretch provision on final year of Kyle Singler’s contract, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 30, 2018
Russ makes exclusive list–over decade with OKC Thunder:
More from Thunderous Intentions
- Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
- Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
- 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
At a time when basketball superstars are changing teams now more than ever, Russell Westbrook’s loyalty to OKC is rare to come by. As writer Cody Taylor of OKC Thunderwire presents, Russ is part of a very short list, just one of six, of current NBA players who have remained on the same team for over 10 years.
"With Manu Ginobili announcing his retirement on Monday, Westbrook joined Stephen Curry, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, Udonis Haslem and Dirk Nowitzki as players to have played at least 10 seasons for only one team."
Despite the shade surrounding Westbrook as a supposedly difficult teammate, the data shows he at least is loyal to his organization and the fans. Villainize him all you want, Russ’ critics are only mad he’s not on their team.
Steven Adams continues summer art tradition:
Speaking of loyalty, Thunder fan-favorite Steven Adams was spotted adding to his New Zealand inspired tattoos that mainly emphasized family and his New Zealand heritage, this time adding more chest detail. This reinforces how perfect a fit the 7’0″ big man is to Thunder culture.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm6mF7aHrrA/?hl=en&taken-by=stevenadams
Don’t ever change, Steven. We love your country farm-style devotion to family with the tattoos to back it up. This will be our year to push ahead further than we have in recent years! I just know it.
That wraps up August news as we leap into September and count down to training camp! Be sure to check back with Thunderous Intentions for all the latest on your favorite Thunder family players.