The 2015–16Oklahoma City Thunder season was the 8th season of the franchise in Oklahoma City and the 50th in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the first under head coach Billy Donovan. After coming just short of making the playoffs the previous season, the Thunder won the Northwest Division and clinched the third seed in the Western Conference. In the playoffs, the Thunder defeated the Dallas Mavericks in five games in the First Round, and the San Antonio Spurs in six games in the Semifinals (which was also Tim Duncan's final NBA game) before reaching the Western Conference finals for the fourth time in a span of six seasons, but were eliminated by the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors in seven games after leading the series 3–1.
After almost pulling what would've been one of the biggest upsets in professional sports history over the 73–9 Warriors, the Thunder missed out on what would’ve been their first Finals appearance since 2012. The Warriors would go on to lose in seven games against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals after they too led the series 3–1.
The Thunder finished the 2014–15 season 45–37 to finish in second place in the Northwest Division, ninth in the Western Conference and failed to qualify for the playoffs. This marks the second season that the Thunder failed to qualify for the playoffs since moving to Oklahoma City. Following the season, head coach Scott Brooks was fired on April 22, 2015.[1]
The Thunder had their own first-round pick and second-round pick entering the draft.[2] The Thunder ended 2015 NBA draft night with Murray State guard Cameron Payne and Kentucky center Dakari Johnson.[3]
Trades
On June 25, the Thunder traded Jeremy Lamb to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Luke Ridnour and a future 2016 second-round pick in an effort for payroll relief. Lamb was originally acquired in the James Harden trade back in 2012.[4][5] Five days later, Ridnour was traded again along with cash considerations to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for the draft rights to Tomislav Zubcic and a trade exception.[6]
On July 14, the Thunder traded Perry Jones, a 2019 second-round pick, and cash considerations to the Boston Celtics in exchange for a protected 2018 second-round pick and a trade exception in another effort for payroll relief.[7] By trading Jones' $2 million, the Thunder cleared $5 million in luxury tax payments.[8]
Free agency
Josh Huestis was signed to a rookie deal after being the first "domestic draft-and-stash."
For this offseason, free agency began on July 1, 2015, while the July moratorium ended on July 7. Enes Kanter and Kyle Singler were set to hit restricted free agency. On July 1, it was reported that Kyle Singler agreed to a five-year, nearly $25 million deal to stay with the Thunder, which he later signed on July 9.[9][10] On July 9, Enes Kanter signed a four-year, $70 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers. However, on July 12, the Thunder exercised its right of first refusal and matched the Trail Blazer's offer sheet to re-sign Kanter.[11]
On July 30, Josh Huestis signed a rookie deal with the Thunder. Huestis was originally selected 29th overall in the 2014 NBA draft but became the first "domestic draft-and-stash" after working out a predraft arrangement with the Thunder to not sign his guaranteed rookie-scale deal. Huestis spent the 2014-15 NBA season with the Oklahoma City Blue.[12][13]
Front office and coaching changes
After the Thunder failed to make the 2014 NBA Playoffs, head coach Scott Brooks was fired on April 22, 2015, after seven seasons with the team. Brooks was named head coach of the Thunder on April 15, 2009, taking over for P.J. Carlesimo after serving as interim head coach during the 2008–09 season. Brooks accumulated a 338-207 (.620) record, named the 2009–10 season NBA Coach of the Year, made three appearances in the Western Conference finals (2011, 2012, 2014) and an appearance in the 2012 NBA Finals.[14]
On April 30, the Thunder hired Billy Donovan, formerly with the Florida Gators, as head coach. Donovan became the third head coach of the Thunder since moving to Oklahoma City. Donovan led the Gators to two national championships, four trips to the Final Four, and accumulated a 467-186 (.715) record.[15]
After a win against the Denver Nuggets on November 1, 2015, the Thunder won their first three games for the first time since the 2011-12 season.[33]
On December 3, 2015, the Thunder did not attempt a single three-pointer in the first quarter, the first time that happened this season.[34]
On December 27, 2015, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook became the first teammates since John Stockton and Karl Malone to record at least 25 points and 10 assists in a regulation game. Durant had 26 points and 10 assists while Westbrook had 30 points and 12 assists against the Denver Nuggets.[35]
On January 20, 2016, Westbrook became the fourth player to record at least 15 points, 15 assists, five rebounds and five steals in a game against the Charlotte Hornets.[36][37]
On February 3, 2016, Westbrook recorded a career high 19 rebounds, the most by a point guard since Jason Kidd in 2007.[38]
On February 3, 2016, Durant moved into 91st place on the NBA's all-time scoring list passing Latrell Sprewell with 16,744 points.[39]
On March 9, 2016, Westbrook recorded 25 points, a career high 20 assists and 11 rebounds becoming the first player since Magic Johnson to have a triple-double with at least 25 points, 20 assists, and 10 rebounds since 1988. It also was the first triple-double with at least 20 points and 20 assists since Rod Strickland in 1998.[40]
On March 18, 2016, Westbrook's 13th triple double of the season ties Grant Hill and Jason Kidd for most in a season over the last 25 years.[41]
On March 22, 2016, Westbrook had his sixth triple double in March, the most in a calendar month since Michael Jordan with seven in April 1989.[42]
On March 22, 2016, Durant moved into 81st place on the NBA's all-time scoring list passing Michael Finley with 17,326 points.[43]
On March 28, 2016, Durant moved into 79th place on the NBA's all-time scoring list passing Steve Nash with 17,387 points.[44]
On March 28, 2016, Durant and Westbrook extended their NBA single-season record for most games with at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists by a pair of teammates to 22 times.[45]
On April 6, 2016, Enes Kanter recorded the first 30-point, 20-rebound game in Thunder history. Kanter finished with 33 points, 20 rebounds against the Portland Trail Blazers.[46]
On April 11, 2016, Westbrook recorded a triple-double before halftime since it began keeping track since the 2002-03 season. Westbrook finished the first half with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.[47]
On April 16, 2016, the Thunder's 108–70, 38 point win against the Dallas Mavericks was its largest victory margin in a playoff game since moving from Seattle as well as the lowest point total allowed in Seattle or Oklahoma City.[48]
^Kevin Durant led the Thunder to an undefeated 3-0 week with averages of 30.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.3 blocks.
^Durant led the Thunder to an undefeated 4-0 week with averages of 27.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.8 steals. He recorded his first triple-double of the season with 25 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists against Atlanta.
^Russell Westbrook led the Thunder to a 3-1 week with averages of 28.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 3.0 steals.
^Durant led the Thunder to an undefeated 4-0 week with averages of 26.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists.
^Durant led the Thunder to an undefeated 3-0 week with averages of 34.7 points, 11.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists. He had a 44-point, 14-rebound outing against New York.
^Durant led the Thunder to an undefeated 4-0 with averages of 26.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists.
^Durant and Westbrook led the Thunder to a 12-3 record in December. Durant had averages of 24.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists reaching the 20-point mark in all 15 games. Westbrook had averages of 23.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 8.9 assists and 2.73 steals.
^Durant led the Thunder to a 13-3 record in February with averages of 28.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists.
^Westbrook led the Thunder to a 11-5 record in March. Westbrook had averages of 21.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 10.6 assists. He logged seven triple-doubles in March, the most since Michael Jordan had seven in April 1989.
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