The Thunder Will Retire Russell Westbrook’s No. 0 on Feb. 7: What Sam Presti Announced in Oklahoma City

Russell Westbrook had no idea it was coming. He was in Oklahoma City on Monday to accept the Oklahoma Standard Award at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum’s Day One Luncheon, with Sam Presti onstage beside him. Presti joked about downtown construction, mentioned some extra work going on at Paycom Center, and then delivered the line.

“We’re making some room in the rafters.”

Westbrook put his head in his hands and wiped away tears. The two embraced. The Thunder made it official that evening: No. 0 goes up on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2027, against the New York Knicks.

What He Said

“It’s amazing; it’s a true blessing,” Westbrook said afterward, per Daniel Bell of 107.7 The Franchise. “Quite frankly, it’s not just for me, my family, my kids, wife, my mom, my brother-in-law, the entire city.”

“But to be able to get your jersey retired, it creates a legacy; it creates a sense of all the work, time, effort, and energy you put into the game. I’m just truly grateful for that honor. I look forward to that night.”

Asked at the luncheon what Oklahoma City meant to him, he answered, “Everything. Everything.” Then: “You guys supported me in my downest moments. You never turned your back on me.”

The Resume Being Honored

Westbrook spent 11 seasons in Oklahoma City, from 2008-09 through 2018-19, after Seattle drafted him fourth overall in 2008 and relocated before his rookie year. In 821 games with the Thunder he averaged 23.0 points, 8.4 assists, 7.0 rebounds and 1.8 steals. The franchise went 538-348 across those 11 years, third best in the league over that span.

The 2016-17 MVP season is the one they will replay in February: 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists over 81 games, a full-season triple-double average matched only by Oscar Robertson in 1961-62, plus 42 triple-doubles, still the single-season record. Westbrook finished with 209 career triple-doubles, the most in NBA history, passing Robertson’s 181 in May 2021 while with Washington.

Eight of his nine All-Star selections came in Oklahoma City. He won two scoring titles there, led the league in assists three times and reached the 2012 Finals. He never won a championship.

Two Things Worth Getting Right

This is the second number the Thunder have retired in Oklahoma City, not the first. Nick Collison’s No. 4 went up on March 20, 2019. The franchise retired six numbers during its Seattle SuperSonics era, which the Thunder treat as separate history.

And Westbrook is not an active player awaiting a ceremony. He retired on Aug. 12, 2026, after 18 seasons, in a video narrated by Michael B. Jordan in which he never used the word retirement. His last stop was Sacramento, where he averaged 15.2 points, 6.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds in 64 games. He turns 38 on Nov. 12.

The Timing Is Not an Accident

Presti said in September that the Thunder were working on something for Westbrook but had no firm plan, and that he wanted it “done with great intention.” The announcement also lands in the middle of an injury crisis that had fans openly floating a comeback. Jalen Williams dislocated his left ankle and fractured his fibula on Oct. 25 and may not play again in the regular season. Cason Wallace had labrum surgery on Oct. 30. Chet Holmgren is expected to miss eight to 10 weeks with a small patellar tendon tear.

Presti, asked about the open roster spot last week: “I haven’t thought about anything relative to the roster spot.” The banner answers the question better than he could.

Oklahoma City is 5-2 anyway after beating Cleveland 117-112 on Monday, the night before the league went dark for Election Day. Presti’s statement put the rest plainly: “Many players make an impact but only great players leave a legacy.”

Carlos Garcia

A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.