George commends Thunder's chemistry (2:49)

Mark D. Smith/USA TODAY Sports

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George says OKC 'has the chemistry' to contend

Paul George told ESPN at Monday's media day that the Thunder are "absolutely" built to contend, and now that he is committed to Oklahoma City long-term, "I can go back to just playing ball and enjoying the game."

Royce Young ESPN Staff Writer

Paul George asked if he's surprised with how Carmelo Anthony's situation played out: "We're going to miss him as a teammate and a brother, but if something doesn't work, it doesn't work. He's in a better situation for him."

Royce Young ESPN Staff Writer

Russell Westbrook asked about his timetable coming back: "What did you read?" Re-affirms it's still the four-week window until he's re-evaluated.

Royce Young ESPN Staff Writer

Sam Presti said he can't speak too much to Dennis Schröder's legal situation but said, "I wouldn't expect it to be a distraction in any way for him or the team." Schröder was arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery last September after a fight at a hookah bar in an Atlanta suburb.

Royce Young ESPN Staff Writer

Sam Presti said the team has never pushed a player to hit a specific date in recovering from injury, and won't start now by rushing Russell Westbrook to be ready for game one. Presti called the surgery a "pretty minor thing," but it still sounds like the Thunder are comfortable opening the season without Westbrook for the first few games.

Royce Young ESPN Staff Writer

Sam Presti said Andre Roberson will go through parts of training camp, but it will all be primarily non-contact. "We don't think we're going to be without him very long," Presti said. It doesn't sound like Roberson will be ready to go on opening night.

Royce Young ESPN Staff Writer

Russell Westbrook is closing in on another triple-double. He and his wife, Nina, announced on Tuesday they are having twin girls due this fall, joining their one-and-half year old son, Noah.

Jalen: OKC now 6-7 seed in West with Westbrook injury (1:56)

Pierce: Westbrook injury 'unfortunate' for OKC (1:05)

Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE/Getty Images

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Westbrook has knee surgery, may miss games

Russell Westbrook might miss the opening few games of the 2018-19 season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Wednesday.

Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP Photo

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Mo Cheeks, the Thunder's Westbrook whisperer

The OKC assistant and new Hall of Famer might be the only person in the NBA who can journey into the eye of a Russell Westbrook storm, and calm it.

Bobby Marks ESPN

The current standings for the 8 teams in the luxury tax: 1) OKC-$73.75M 2) GSW- $44.70M 3) TOR- $34.50M 4) HOU- $20.44M 5) WAS- $18.32M 6) POR- $12.58M 7) BOS- $6.03M and 8) MIA- $4.86M. The 22 teams below the tax currently project to receive $4.88M in distribution money. That number is a projection and will increase or decrease by the end of the regular season. Last season, 26 teams received $2.21M.

Bobby Marks ESPN

Oklahoma City will see their tax bill drop from $93.2M to $73.8M by using the stretch provision on Kyle Singler. The Thunder will incur a $999K cap hit over the next five seasons on Singler and would receive a minor set-off if the forward signs with another team. The Thunder benefit based on the ability of using the 2019-20 season that was non-guaranteed as part of the stretch provision. With the Carmelo Anthony trade to Atlanta and now the Singler waiver, Oklahoma City has saved $89.5M in salary and luxury tax since July 15.

Seth Walder ESPN Analytics

Our preseason BPI ratings predict how many points per game better or worse every team is relative to the NBA average.

Will George regret not giving Lakers a shot? (2:10)

Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images

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George: Lakers miffed he wouldn't hear pitch

Paul George said on the Short Story Long Podcast that the Lakers were "pissed" at him for declining to meet with them and instead re-signing with the Thunder.

Ian Begley ESPN Staff Writer

Nice job by Oklahoma City Thunder rookie and Queens (NY) native Hamidou Diallo, who hosted Hamidou Diallo Day last Friday in Queens. Guests received food and raffle prizes and youth basketball teams played games at the event.

Russ and Harden put on a show in celebrity game (0:59)

Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire

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Melo letter thanks OKC, fans for 'genuine support'

Carmelo Anthony, whose one season with the Thunder featured career lows nearly across the board, wrote a letter to thank the team and its fans for "genuine support."