While the OKC Thunder aren't bringing Russell Westbrook back for one last go-around amid their widespread injury woes, they will be getting their fix of No. 0 in a different way. On February 7, they will be retiring his jersey, thus cementing him in Oklahoma City lore forever.
Up to this point, only Nick Collison has experienced the same honor, as the Thunder are still a relatively young franchise.
That being said, there are a few other names that fans should keep on their radar as being "next in line" to have their numbers raised up to the rafters out at Paycom Center and, once construction is complete, Continental Coliseum
Thunder players who should be next to have their jersey retired
1. Steven Adams
Steven Adams' case may have just as much to do with his infectious personality as his on-court performance. However happy-go-lucky the Australian may be, he bullied opposing centers for seven years in Bricktown and was part of the 2015-16 Thunder team that was one win away from reaching the NBA Finals.
At his peak in blue and orange, he was an every-night starter who provided both rim protection and rebounding prowess to a team flooded with vicious scorers.
He truly embodied the blue-collar persona that fans grew to know and love about this Thunder franchise. His impromptu trip to OKC for Game 7 of last year's Western Conference Finals further solidified the connection between him and the city.
2. Serge Ibaka
Another bully in the paint, Serge Ibaka was the starting center for the Thunder team that lost to LeBron James' Heat in the 2011-12 Finals. Though they failed to finish the job, he will go down as one of, if not the most dominant big in OKC's brief history.
Three All-Defensive selections and five seasons in which he registered at least 2.4 blocks per game are enough to solidify his legacy on the defensive end.
He also had four 10-plus point seasons during his OKC tenure. The franchise's all-time blocks leader will surely be cemented in history.
3. Kevin Durant
Okay, time to rip off the band-aid...
While Kevin Durant quickly turned into the Thunder fanbase's public enemy number one nearly overnight back in 2016, he simply did too much for the franchise to not be given his flowers.
His legacy might be controversial, but his accolades aren't. He led OKC to its first-ever Finals appearance back in 2012, won an MVP, had four scoring titles, and was named an All-Star seven times, all while wearing the orange and blue.
His laundry list of accomplishments can't be ignored, and a simple decade-old grudge shouldn't be enough to dismiss his Hall-of-Fame resume.
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