Oklahoma City Thunder Set to Retire Russell Westbrook No. 0 Jersey

Honoring an Oklahoma City Legend

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Monday that they will retire Russell Westbrook's No. 0 jersey on Feb. 7. Westbrook spent the first 11 years of his 18 season career with the franchise. The team picked him in the first round of the 2008 draft, just days before officially becoming the Thunder following the move from Seattle.

During his initial years, Westbrook teamed with Kevin Durant to make the young Thunder one of the best teams in the league. His role in Oklahoma City grew even larger after Durant departed in free agency following the 2015 and 2016 season.

MVP Performance and Franchise Impact

Westbrook made history during the 2016 and 2017 season when he became the first player to average a triple double over a full season since Oscar Robertson. He produced 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game on his way to winning the league MVP award. He kept up that pace by averaging a triple double in each of his final two seasons in Oklahoma City.

Thunder executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti spoke about the decision on Monday. Presti said that "Russell Westbrook's legacy was built both on the court and in the community" and noted that "Oklahomans consider him one of their own."

The organization traded Westbrook to the Houston Rockets before the 2019 and 2020 season, moving away from his pairing with Paul George. Westbrook later played for the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Denver Nuggets, and Sacramento Kings. A nine time All Star and a selection for the 2021 NBA 75th anniversary team, Westbrook retired this offseason. His number will be the second jersey retired by the Thunder, joining Nick Collison's No. 4.

What it means for the next game

Oklahoma City Thunder at Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA, Tue, 03 Nov): Cleveland Cavaliers win 54%, Oklahoma City Thunder win 46%; projected score Cleveland Cavaliers 115, Oklahoma City Thunder 114. Our safest pick: Thunder +11.5.

Cleveland Cavaliers at Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA, Thu, 05 Nov): Oklahoma City Thunder win 70%, Cleveland Cavaliers win 30%; projected score Oklahoma City Thunder 117, Cleveland Cavaliers 111. Our safest pick: Cavaliers +14.5.