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Oklahoma City Thunder news gathered from around the net.

Maurice Cheeks Agrees To Become Head Coach Of Pistons

Maurice Cheeks has accepted the Detroit Pistons' position of head coach.

Cheeks was most recently an assistant coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder and was previously the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and Philadelphia 76ers.

Cheeks replaces Lawrence Frank with the Pistons.

Via Marc Stein/ESPN

Execs Wonder If Agent Change Could Push Kevin Durant To Big Market

With Kevin Durant headed toward hiring Jay-Z of Roc Nation Sports as his agent, NBA executives and agents wonder if the agency could push Durant out of the Oklahoma City Thunder and toward big markets such as New York or Los Angeles.

Durant is signed with the Thunder through 2015-16.

Durant had been with Rob Pelinka of Landmark Sports.

Via Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Durant Leaves Pelinka For Jay-Z's Agency

Kevin Durant will leave agent Rob Pelinka to sign with Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports.

"He doesn't want a traditional NBA agent anymore," a source told Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Durant seeks an opportunity to have Jay-Z handle his branding.

"He had a chance to be with his idol and couldn't say no," said a source.

Durant was represented by Aaron Goodwin when he entered the NBA, making Jay-Z's agency his third representation.

Via Liz Mullen/Sports Business Journal

Pistons Likely To Offer Head Coaching Job To Maurice Cheeks

The Detroit Pistons are preparing to offer their head coaching position to Maurice Cheeks.

Cheeks is a finalist for the position along with Nate McMillan.

Cheeks was previously head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and Philadelphia 76ers and has most recently been an assistant with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Via Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Jeremy Lamb Confident Patience Will Pay Off

Jeremy Lamb knows he could lose a friend and mentor in Kevin Martin this offseason to free agency. Even so, the young shooting guard is confident next season will bring opportunity for him on the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“They just told me be patient,” Lamb said, “and my time will come.”

The Thunder acquired Lamb in the James Harden trade last offseason.

“Just do all you can to make yourself better because it's only going to help me as well as the team in the long run,” Lamb said.

Via Darnell Mayberry/The Oklahoman

Durant Donates $1M To Tornado Relief Efforts

Kevin Durant has donated $1 million to relief efforts following tornadoes in the Oklahoma City region.

"As the day went on and I saw the footage and the casualties and the houses being blown away, it was tough to see," said Durant. "I call Oklahoma City my home. I go through Moore all the time. It's unfortunate. We're going to come together as a city like we always do and we're going to bounce back."

Durant was in Minneapolis and hopes to return to Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

"Just to get to the hospital, see some kids," Durant said. "Something. Just something to give some hope. Playing for the Thunder, we mean so much to the state. So many people support us and I just want to go back and support those people."

The American Red Cross said the gift from The Durant Family Foundation is meant to match other donations and be an incentive for more people to give. The Thunder also announced a $1 million donation, as did the NBA and players' union.


Via ESPN

Thunder Aren't Considering Amnesty Clause On Perkins

The Oklahoma City Thunder are not considering using the amnesty clause on Kendrick Perkins.

"We just haven't considered using the provision. ... We think Perk has a lot of value to our team," Sam Presti said Saturday.

Perkins is set to make about $18 million over the next two seasons.

Via Darnell Mayberry/The Oklahoman

Thunder May Anticipate 6th Man Role For Reggie Jackson

After sporadic playing time as a rookie last season, Reggie Jackson emerged as a critical guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder and averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists in the playoffs.

With Russell Westbrook set to return next season, the Thunder might be anticipating a sixth man role for Jackson.

“If that's the number that's called,” Jackson said, “I'm doing my best to just be ready for whatever situation I'm thrown into next year.”

“I'm excited about his future, about what he was able to do during the minutes that he had," Brooks added.

Via Darnell Mayberry/The Oklahoman

Kendrick Perkins Finishes Playoffs With Worst PER On Record

Kendrick Perkins finished the 2013 NBA Playoffs with a PER of -0.7, which is the worst on record for a player with 200 or more minutes.

Perkins had 24 turnovers, 24 points, 39 fouls, five blocks and a plus/minus of -40 in the playoffs.

Perkins was acquired by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2011 in a trade involving Jeff Green.

Scott Brooks played Perkins 23.3 minutes per game in the Conference Semifinals against the Memphis Grizzlies despite clearly being ineffective.

Via Tom Haberstroh/ESPN

Macklemore Upset Thunder Using His Song

The Oklahoma Thunder have been using the song "Can't Hold Us", which is performed by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.

Macklemore is a rapper from Seattle.

"So apparently the OKC blunder are using @macklemore 'Can't hold us' as a song to hype up the crowd in their arena <-OH HELL NO!" wrote Macklemore on his Twitter account.

Detlef Schrempt echoed the same sentiment on Monday.

Via KING 5 News

Oklahoma City Thunder Archives

Russell Westbrook: Thunder 'Have Enough To Get A Ring'

Russell Westbrook will be off crutches in the next three to four weeks.

Grizzlies Want To Make Durant Work For Everything, Avoid Putting Him On Line

The Grizzlies are allowing Kevin Durant to average 35.5 points, 13 rebounds and 7.5 assists.

Thunder Confident Perkins Fit For Series Against Grizzlies

Kendrick Perkins will receive plenty of minutes against the Grizzlies, who are anchored by Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph.

Durant Dribbled Ball 240 More Times In Game 3 Than Season Average

Kevin Durant dribbled the ball 377 times in Game 3.

Russell Westbrook Undergoes Successful Surgery, Out For Playoffs

Russell Westbrook will miss the remainder of the 2013 NBA playoffs.

Beverley Sorry Westbrook Tore Meniscus, Doesn't Apologize For Being Aggressive

Patrick Beverley is sorry that Russell Westbrook suffered a torn meniscus while going for a steal before a timeout, but he doesn't apologize for being aggressive.

Russell Westbrook To Undergo Knee Surgery

Russell Westbrook will undergo surgery on his right knee for a meniscus tear.

Howard Thinks Ibaka Should Have Been DPOY

Dwight Howard finished 14th in the Defensive Player of the Year balloting.

Durant 'Done With Being Second'

In a quote on the cover of Sports Illustrated, Kevin Durant lamented his runner-up status that he believes has plagued him throughout his basketball career.

Raptors 'Quickly Rebuffed' Valanciunas For Harden Trade Inquiry From Thunder

The Thunder spoke to the Raptors about a trade centered on James Harden for Jonas Valanciunas.

Brooks Guarantees Durant Won't Score 70 In Final Game To Chase Scoring Title

Kevin Durant will finish second in per game scoring to Carmelo Anthony unless he scores 70 points in the final game of the season.

Kevin Durant Fined $25,000 By NBA For Menacing Gesture

Kevin Durant also has 12 technical fouls this season, tied for third-most in the NBA.

Record Five Teams Have Had At Least 12-Game Win Streak

According to Elias Sports, the 2012-13 NBA season is the first in which five different teams have enjoyed win streaks of at least twelve games.

LeBron, Durant Named NBA Players Of Month

LeBron James captured his fifth straight Eastern Conference Player of the Month award by helping the Heat to an NBA-best 17-1 record as the team chased history.

Brewer: 'Unfortunate' Bulls Released Info Of Derrick Rose Being Medically Cleared

Ronnie Brewer doesn’t think anyone around the Bulls knows when Derrick Rose will return, but he was adamant it should come when only Rose is ready.

Wall Believes He's Faster Than Westbrook

John Wall and Russell Westbrook are regarded as two of the most athletics players in the NBA.

Kevin Martin Won't 'Have To Chase Money' In Free Agency

Kevin Martin has stated repeatedly he believes the Oklahoma City Thunder are a good fit for him moving forward.

Durant's Text Message Helped Thunder Keep Brooks

Kevin Durant reached out to Scott Brooks to let him know how much he means to the Thunder's success.

Thunder Reassign Jones, Liggins, Orton To D-League

The Thunder have reassigned Perry Jones, DeAndre Liggins and Daniel Orton to the Tulsa 66ers, the Thunder’s NBA Development League affiliate.

Durant Battling High Turnover Percentage

Kevin Durant has assumed more playmaking responsibilities this season.
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