OKC Thunder players can select from 29 messages for back of jerseys

OKC Thunder players can pick from a list of 29 approved messages to wear on the back of their jerseys in Orlando.

The OKC Thunder players continue to workout in preparation for the resumption of the NBA season in the Disney bubble. July 8th is the Thunder departure date.

As noted earlier today, no OKC Thunder player has tested positive for COVID-19 from the tests which occurred between June 23rd and June 29th. All 17 players on the Thunder roster are in Oklahoma City and each is undergoing the mandatory testing.

Continuing negotiations and discussions are occurring between the NBA and National Basketball Players Association with Chris Paul actively involved given his position as NBPA president.  Paul has championed the social justice messaging and actions the players can use their platform to promote. ESPN included Paul’s comments in a compilation of NBA stakeholder comments about the Disney bubble.

"“We understand how powerful our voice is, and so even if we’re back to playing, we understand that our voice can still be heard, our message can still be screamed loud and clear on an unbelievable platform. So just know that you’re going to continue to hear us. Just know that. It’s never a ‘shut up and dribble’ situation.”"

To that end, with teams set to arrive in Orlando next week, the stakeholders are conducting ongoing discussions and negotiations tied to social justice.

OKC Thunder players can pick from 29 jersey messages

Late this afternoon, the NBA and NBPA announced they have agreed to the social justice messages players can use on the back of their jerseys in Orlando.

The restart begins on July 30th while the OKC Thunder begins on August 1st versus the Utah Jazz. Players will be able to wear the pre-approved message in place of their names for the first four days of competition.

After this point. players can submit two choices to put on the back of their jerseys (each player can use a total of two different messages). However, after the initial four days, the messages will appear above their number while their last name would appear under the number.

Players may not elect to use the messages or may only do it for the first four days and then return to just using their name.

NBA the Jump provided the following 12 messages examples of messages that have been approved by the league and the players union:

• Black Lives Matter
• Vote
• See Us
• Say Their Names
• Si Se Puede (In English: “Yes you can”)
• Hear Us
• How Many More
• Speak Up
• Respect Us
• I Can’t Breathe
• Anti-Racist
• Listen to Us

Victims’ names will not be among the messages on the jerseys. This was decided as the NBA/NBPA would’ve needed to get approval from the families. More importantly, it was thought for the families who are still grieving from the loss of their loved ones it would be difficult to witness or considered inappropriate.

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While writing this post another 17 message options were provided via Marc J. Spears on ESPN:

• Justice
• Peace
• Equality
• Freedom
• Enough
• Power to the People
• Justice Now
• Say Her Name
• Liberation
• Love Us
• Listen
• Stand Up
• Ally
•  I Am A Man
• Group Economics
• Education Reform
• Mentor.

Earlier this week the NBA and NBPA advised ‘Black Lives Matters’ will be painted on the center court area of the hardwood as well as on the sidelines.

Paul, previously noted his hopes are that players will begin their post-game interviews discussing social justice, social cause, or charitable messages before discussing game results.

As for the message options, there was no indication if this is the definitive list or whether additional options will be added.