TNT drew the second highest rating in NBA history on cable television with a peak of 18 million viewers for its coverage of Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals between the Warriors and Rockets. 

TNT's coverage of Game 7 of the Warriors-Thunder series in 2016 drew an 8.8 household rating in the United States and peaked at 19.8 million total viewers.

For Game 7 in 2018, TNT averaged 14.8 million viewers compared to 15.9 million in 2016.

TNT’s coverage of the Western Conference Finals series averaged 9.4 million viewers.

Jerami Grant enters free agency after becoming a key part of the Oklahoma City Thunder rotation in his second season with the club.

The Thunder exercised their 17-18 team option on Grant last offseason, which prevented him from becoming a restricted free agent but makes him an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

"I definitely think it's a possibility," Grant said. "I know it's a lot of moving pieces but I definitely think it's a great possibility me being there. There's a lot of things they have to figure out but I think it’s a good chance."

The Houston Rockets pursued a trade for Carmelo Anthony last offseason and sources say they were optimistic at one point that a three-way deal would be agreed upon with the New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers.

The talks with the Knicks, however, fizzled, after the exit of Phil Jackson after the draft and before the start of free agency.

The Rockets' potential trade for Anthony had no impact on their interest in signing P.J. Tucker and Luc Mbah a Moute in free agency.

James Harden began to recruit Tucker days after their season ended as they hung out together in Atlanta.

"Yo, you're coming to Houston," Harden told him then, according to Tucker. "We need what you do."

Anthony was eventually traded to the Thunder in a package for Enes Kanter.

The Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks were two teams that wanted to select Giannis Antetokounmpo on draft night in 2013.

"Atlanta was really determined to get him," said Wojnarowski on The Woj Pod. 

"I will submit the Danny Ferry sob story about this one," replied Brian Windhorst.

"Danny Ferry, Wes Wilcox were really focused on him," said Wojnarowski. "And Masai (Ujiri) had a deal in Toronto. Masai was working with Oklahoma City on a possible trade. I think Oklahoma City was at ten that year and they took Steven Adams. Ten or 11, or 12. Somewhere in there. Once (Steven) Adams made it to the Thunder, there was no trade. But I think if Adams would have been taken ahead of them, Oklahoma City may have traded out of there and Toronto would have gotten him. 

"The mythology of Giannis' draft year, because it was a horrendous draft. Especially at the top."

The pick owned by the Thunder that year coincidentally was Toronto's, which they dealt to the Rockets for Kyle Lowry and was then moved to Oklahoma City in 2012 for James Harden.

Ujiri had just been hired by the Raptors and they were widely expected to embark on a rebuild, but they instead pivoted to becoming an Eastern Conference contender around Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.

The Hawks owned the 17th pick, two slots behind the Bucks at No. 15, which they ultimately used on Dennis Schroder. 

Nick Collison has announced his retirement from the NBA in a lengthy first person essay.

Collison was drafted 12th overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2003.

"I've played with some incredible players, future Hall of Famers, and had the unique experience of spending my entire career with one franchise, but in two different cities," wrote Collison.

"I love KD. I miss him. I played my best basketball with James (Harden). I wish we would have had more time. I feel like a proud big brother watching Russ become both the player and the man that he is. I really appreciate all the battles we've been through."

Paul George underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Wednesday.

George will be out six to eight weeks.

Alex Abrines underwent a successful procedure to address a sports hernia.

The procedure was performed by Dr. William Meyers of the Vincera Institute in Philadelphia, Pa.

This past season, Abrines appeared in 75 games (eight starts) for the Thunder and recorded averages of 4.7 points while shooting .380 percent from three-point range (84-221 3FGs) to go along with 1.5 rebounds in 15.1 minutes.

Abrines is expected to miss six weeks before returning to normal offseason activities.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are "encouraged" by the discussions they've had with Paul George this season.

The Thunder hope to re-sign George in free agency.

“I think the best thing for him, and I think the biggest opportunity for him, is in the continuity,” Presti said. “Additionally, just continuity in general, with the type of team we have assembled and the way it was assembled, generally, continuity is his best friend going forward.”

The Thunder acquired George last June in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.

Sam Presti confirmed the Oklahoma City Thunder will retain Billy Donovan as head coach.

Donovan was hired as head coach of the Thunder in 2015 and he has compiled a 150-96 record over three seasons.

Presti hopes Donovan will “be able to work with the same core of a team that has a baseline that we’ve established.”

Presti said the organization is “disappointed” with the 2017-18 season, which ended with loss in six games to the Utah Jazz in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.