Oklahoma City's title core was built the same way Seattle's last roster was: through the draft. The franchise's only retired number and its two championship trips in this city trace back to that same method.
Westbrook, Then This Core
Seattle's final draft pick before the move was point guard Russell Westbrook, taken fourth overall out of UCLA in 2008, who became the franchise player as the SuperSonics became the Thunder. The approach never changed. Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell were all drafted by the organization, with Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso added later by trade and free agency. General manager Sam Presti's draft-and-develop method, stacking premium picks into a core rather than chasing established stars, traces straight back to that transition year.
Two Cities, Two Championships
The franchise has reached the Finals five times: three in Seattle, in 1978, 1979 and 1996, and twice in Oklahoma City, in 2012 and 2025. It has won twice, once in each city, with the 2025 win over the Indiana Pacers in seven games standing as the first championship since the move. In between came a different bet: in October 2012, with an extension unresolved, Oklahoma City traded James Harden, Cole Aldrich, Daequan Cook and Lazar Hayward to Houston for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb and two first-round picks rather than pay to keep the roster together.
Collison's Number, Presti's Picks
The only number the franchise has retired is 4, worn by Nick Collison, who played every Oklahoma City season from the move through 2018; it went up on March 20, 2019. The same patience now sits in the draft board: Oklahoma City owns its own first- and second-round picks in 2029 and 2030 outright, plus swap rights in 2027 and 2028. Nothing has been sold off to chase this season. The group aiming for a second straight title was built the same way the one that reached 1996 and 2012 was: through the draft, not around it.
Did Russell Westbrook ever play for the Thunder in Oklahoma City?
Yes. Westbrook was the SuperSonics' final draft pick in Seattle in 2008, the same year the franchise moved and was renamed the Thunder, and he became its first star in Oklahoma City.
What is the only number the Thunder have retired?
No. 4, worn by Nick Collison, who played every Oklahoma City season from the 2008 move through 2018. It was retired on March 20, 2019.
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