Discover the Top 10 OKC NBA Players Who Shaped the Franchise's Legacy

When I first started following the Oklahoma City Thunder's journey back in their inaugural 2008-09 season, I never imagined I'd be writing about franchise-defining players while simultaneously tracking women's futsal qualifications. There's something fascinating about how sports narratives intertwine across different disciplines. Just yesterday, I was reading about how the PFF team is departing for Tashkent tonight for the FIFA Women's Futsal World Cup qualifiers, and it struck me how both stories represent different facets of athletic legacy-building. The Thunder's journey from Seattle to Oklahoma created a unique basketball culture that produced some of the most memorable players in recent NBA history. What makes this franchise special isn't just the championships or awards, but how certain individuals fundamentally shaped its identity through their contributions on and off the court.

I've always believed Kevin Durant deserves the top spot in any Thunder legacy conversation, and I'm not just saying that because he won the 2014 MVP award with us. The man averaged 27.4 points per game during his eight seasons here, transforming from the slender rookie we drafted second overall in 2007 into an unstoppable scoring machine. I remember watching him hit that game-winner against Dallas in 2011 playoffs – the arena absolutely erupted. His departure stung, sure, but what he built here can't be erased. Russell Westbrook comes immediately to mind as number two, and honestly, there were days I thought he might surpass KD in franchise importance. The 2017 MVP season where he averaged that historic triple-double? Unforgettable. I was at the game against Denver when he broke Robertson's record – the energy was unlike anything I've experienced in professional sports.

Now here's where my personal bias might show, but I'd put Nick Collison at number three before even discussing current stars. The man played 910 games for this franchise between Seattle and OKC, the ultimate glue guy who never cared about stats. I once watched him take three charges in a single quarter against San Antonio – that's the kind of sacrifice that builds culture. Speaking of culture builders, Serge Ibaka's block parties were legendary. His 3.7 blocks per game in 2012 still feels unreal when I look at today's defensive statistics. James Harden at five might surprise people given how his career evolved elsewhere, but that 2012 Sixth Man award season was magical. I still wonder what could've been if we'd kept that core together.

The modern era deserves its flowers too, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has already cemented himself at number six in my book. Watching him evolve into an All-NBA First Team selection last season while averaging 31.4 points felt like witnessing the birth of our next superstar. His game reminds me of a hybrid between Manu Ginobili and Penny Hardaway – unpredictable and utterly unstoppable when he gets to his spots. At number seven, I'm going with Steven Adams, because how can you not love the Big Kiwi? His 11.6 rebounds per game in 2018-19 represented the blue-collar identity this city embraces. I'll never forget interviewing him after games – always humble, always deflecting praise to teammates.

Rounding out my list, I've got Chris Paul at eight for that unexpected 2019-20 season where he willed us to the playoffs, Thabo Sefolosha at nine for his lockdown defense during our Finals run, and Jeff Green at ten for being that reliable scoring option during our formative years. Each of these players contributed something unique – whether it was Paul's leadership, Thabo's perimeter defense, or Green's versatility.

As I follow the PFF team's journey to Tashkent for their FIFA Women's Futsal World Cup qualifiers, I'm reminded that legacy isn't just about winning championships. It's about the moments these athletes create and the cultural foundation they build. The Thunder might not have a championship banner yet, but the legacy these ten players established makes this franchise one of the most compelling stories in modern sports. What I've come to appreciate over the years is that while stats matter – like Durant's 32.0 points per game in the 2012 Finals or Westbrook's 42 triple-doubles in a single season – it's the intangible contributions that truly define a player's place in franchise history. The Thunder's story continues to evolve, but these ten players laid the groundwork for what makes Oklahoma City basketball special.