The Oklahoma City Thunder have played home to some of the best players in NBA history. They've also hosted critical role players whose contributions continue to earn them contracts in 2026. Unfortunately, three former cornerstones remain unsigned.
That list consists of two players who have won NBA MVP in James Harden and Russell Westbrook, and one of the players who helped lead the Thunder from Seattle to Oklahoma City in Jeff Green.
It's unclear if the Thunder have the space or desire to add anyone else to their training camp roster, let alone their NBA rotation. That doesn't mean their former pillars are any less significant, however, as support doesn't have to end once a player leaves the team.
The question is: Will any of the three players receive new deals? One appears on track to, but the others may not be so safe.
3. Jeff Green
The then Seattle SuperSonics acquired Jeff Green with the No. 5 overall selection in the 2007 NBA Draft as a part of the trade that sent Ray Allen to the Boston Celtics. Green proceeded to play the better part of four seasons with the franchise, even helping to usher in the move to Oklahoma City.
Once renowned for his versatility as a key cornerstone alongside Kevin Durant, Green has gone on to carve out a 19-year NBA career. Unfortunately, a 20th season has not yet been secured.
It would be sad to see Green forced into retirement by a lack of options on the free agency front. Hope is not yet lost for the unrestricted free agent, however, as there are several teams stuck in a holding pattern that could explain why he hasn't yet been signed to bolster the end of a rotation and a locker room with his leadership skills.
From averaging 37.1 minutes per game for the Thunder in 2009-10 to winning a championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2022-23, Green has turned in quite a career. One can only hope it will continue with a milestone 20th season in 2026-27.
2. James Harden
James Harden is a sore subject for Thunder fans. He helped the team reach the 2012 NBA Finals after winning Sixth Man of the Year and acting as a bridge between Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Unfortunately, Harden and the Thunder failed to come to terms on an extension and he was ultimately traded to the Houston Rockets.
Even still, Harden played a pivotal role in the Thunder reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since moving to Oklahoma City and therefore belongs on this list as a former cornerstone.
14 years later, Harden is an unrestricted free agent hoping to sign a multi-year deal to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. It's widely expected to transpire at some point this summer, but for the time being, Harden is still available on the open market.
A reunion is unlikely, but the sheer curiosity about what could've been will always make Harden an enigmatic figure whom Thunder fans keep an eye on.
1. Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook has a clear-cut case for being on the Thunder's Mount Rushmore. A beloved figure in fan circles, he won an MVP award, made history by averaging a triple-double, and played pivotal roles in helping the Thunder reach the NBA Finals, sustain excellence, and survive losing Kevin Durant.
Unfortunately, seven years after Westbrook's legendary Thunder tenure came to a close, he's an unrestricted free agent without a clear next destination.
Thunder fans know how polarizing Westbrook is, with his supporters seeing his leadership and uncanny ability to elevate those around him, and his critics fixating on his inefficiency and turnovers. Fans can only hope that he ultimately finds a suitor who understands his value and allows a legendary career to continue.
18 years into a Hall of Fame career, Westbrook will hopefully get to the milestone of 20 NBA seasons. At the very least, he deserves to get to 19.
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