March 2014 Oklahoma City Thunder Wiretap

Thunder Look Forward For Opportunity To Re-Sign Kevin Durant In 2016

Sep 29, 2014 11:53 PM

Kevin Durant candidly discussed his present and future with the Oklahoma City Thunder, making it clear that he is pleased with the franchise's direction and likes his situation.

"We'll keep dancing around (the topic), and by the time it comes it's going to be even more awkward than it was, so it's not a surprise (that people ask him about it) because everybody wants to know," Durant said. "But I'm taking it day by day with the Oklahoma City Thunder. That's my main concern. And whatever the future holds, I don't know, because I can't tell you the future. I'm going to take it a day at a time. I enjoy being here. I enjoy my teammates. I like the direction we're going in, and that's not just a cliché (expletive) answer. That's real."

"I love OKC. I always wanted to be a part of something bigger than just basketball. And what I told myself coming into the league was, 'This city is going to adopt me, I'm going to adopt this city, and we're going to grow together.'"

For their part, the Thunder are confident about their chances to re-sign Durant as a free agent in 2016.

"We know it's there, and we are looking forward to it — the opportunity to re-sign a legacy player — especially when you consider where our team could be at that point, with two more years of experience and cohesion and taking that into account," Presti said. "We have to honor the season in front of us, because we have a tremendous opportunity to win right now and continue to build the tradition of the Thunder. We are fortunate to be in this position, and we want to capture and respect this moment. We have to put that anticipation in its place for now and not allow ourselves to get distracted from the present, regardless of what the future could look like for Kevin and the organization he has built with us, brick by brick."

Sam Amick/USA Today

Tags: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Durant To Return To USA Basketball For 2016 Olympics

Sep 29, 2014 3:36 PM

Kevin Durant intends to rejoin USA Basketball for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

Durant withdrew from the 2014 World Cup citing exhaustion.

Durant was previously with USA Basketball for the 2010 World Championships and the 2012 Olympics.

Marc Stein/ESPN

Tags: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, National, National Olympics

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Thunder To Sign Michael Jenkins To Training Camp Deal

Sep 26, 2014 3:30 PM

The Oklahoma City Thunder have reached agreement with free agent guard Michael Jenkins on a training camp deal, league sources told RealGM.

Jenkins, who has played professionally overseas since going undrafted in 2008, was with the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA Summer League in July.

Jenkins, 28, played his college basketball at Winthrop where he averaged 13.9 points and 4.1 rebounds as a senior in the 2007-08 season. He played in Italy a year ago.

Shams Charania/RealGM

Tags: Michael Jenkins, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Bledsoe's Free Agency Serving As Test Case For Reggie Jackson

Sep 22, 2014 12:10 AM

Reggie Jackson is monitoring the contract situation of Eric Bledsoe, who remains a restricted free agent.

Jackson is eligible for a contract extension and could become a restricted free agent himself next summer if he is unable to agree upon a deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Jackson has made it clear that he desires a starting role, while also suggesting that he seeks the salary that comes along with that.

 

Bledsoe is the closest comparison to Jackson due to his development in the NBA backing up Chris Paul, while Jackson has backed up Russell Westbrook.

Darnell Mayberry/Oklahoman

Tags: Reggie Jackson, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Kevin Durant Signs Frozen Yogurt Endorsement Deal

Sep 5, 2014 10:40 AM

Kevin Durant has signed an endorsement deal with Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt in which he now owns a minority stake.

Durant will receive an ownership interest in Orange Leaf in exchange for his work to promote the frozen yogurt brand through community service partnerships, including the development of a program that will help under-served kids and communities, Orange Leaf said. 

Orange Leaf CEO Reese Travis said he was impressed with Durant’s involvement in the Oklahoma City community, and that led him to want to partner with the Thunder forward. Travis said he was particularly touched with Durant’s efforts to help with cleanup efforts after the May 2013 Moore tornado.

Brianna Bailey/Oklahoman

Tags: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA

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Knicks Hire Assistant Coach With Close Ties To Kevin Durant

Sep 4, 2014 3:51 PM

The New York Knicks hired Brian Keefe on Tuesday as an assistant coach.

A source says Keefe is very close with Kevin Durant, who will become a free agent in 2016.

Keefe spent seven seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the first two as a developmental coach before being promoted to assistant coach.

“He’s Durant’s guy,’’ the league source said. 

During last season, Durant noted Keefe had put him in his place regarding body language and attitude.

Marc Berman/New York Post

Tags: Kevin Durant, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Reggie Jackson Hopes To Sign Extension With Thunder

Sep 3, 2014 12:41 PM

Reggie Jackson is eligible for a contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder this offseason.

"We haven’t really talked about it much this summer," said Jackson. "I know my representation and the Thunder have been talking. But mostly I haven’t really gotten to talk super much about it. I’ve been busy. I think we’re just trying to figure things out and hopefully we can get a deal done."

Jackson was asked if he thinks a deal may be agreed upon before the deadline.

"I’m not sure. I’m always hopeful. I’m hoping for the best, expecting the worst. That’s just how I kind of approach things. I’m just happy and blessed to be able to play basketball another day and wake up another day. Just seeing another day is a blessing. I hope to get things done. But if not, it is what it is. I can’t really dwell on it. I have to go out there and compete. That’s where I am. I have to go out there and enjoy the game and trust that my representation and us sitting down and figuring things out is hopefully going to lead to us getting something done before the deadline."

Darnell Mayberry/Oklahoman

Tags: Reggie Jackson, Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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