[Stephen Dunn/Getty Images] & [Seattle ON Tap Edit]
[Stephen Dunn/Getty Images] & [Seattle ON Tap Edit]

Oklahoma City Thunder Will Gift The Seattle Sonics History BACK When They Return

It's becoming clear that the return of the Seattle Sonics to the NBA is on the horizon. The NBA is mostly likely going to announce the expansion of two more teams in to the NBA by the end of 2024. Those teams are like the Seattle Sonics coming back, and a new team in Las Vegas. 

When the Supersonics were taken away to Oklahoma City, the new Thunder franchise wanted to create it's own history. They rebranded, they never wore Sonics throwbacks, and they did not hang any banners claiming the history of the Sonics, including the NBA World Champions banner from 1979. 

Since Oklahoma City inherited the Thunder, Seattle has been itching at a chance to bring basketball back to the city. With their dreams closer to becoming a reality, Oklahoma City is closing the door on claiming any Sonics history. As Thunder fans know, the Thunder never tried to claimed Sonics history. The NBA has for historical purposes ONLY. The Sonics history couldn't be lost in memory. 

ESPN recently did a deep dive into what will happen if the Sonics do return, and they made it clear that the history will be gifted back to them by the Thunder... This is the one time we will say positive things about that franchise... 

More From ESPN: “Sources said if a team was to return to Seattle, the Thunder would cede the Seattle history back to the SuperSonics — just as the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets reclaimed the Charlotte-era history of the New Orleans Pelicans when Charlotte switched from being the Bobcats to the Hornets in 2014.”

“That (original) agreement laid out the terms of shared ownership of Sonics history, including the team's 1979 championship trophy and retired jerseys,” ESPN noted. “Officially, the NBA combines the history of the two teams. For example, the league recognizes Payton as Oklahoma City's career leader in games played.

The Thunder, however, do not hang any banners for the SuperSonics in Oklahoma City, and they don't highlight any Seattle stats in their media guide -- listing, for example, Russell Westbrook as the team's career assists leader rather than Payton."

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1 comment

Bring back our Seattle SuperSonics to Seattle we miss our team in Seattle we Sonics fans are waiting for the Sonics

Steven Williams

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