The okc thunder retired numbers list has only one official entry as of the 2025–26 NBA season: Nick Collison’s No. 4 jersey. According to Basketball Reference, Collison played 910 regular-season games and spent 15 seasons with the same franchise.
The problem for many fans is that Seattle SuperSonics retired jerseys and popular Thunder stars like Russell Westbrook create confusion about what actually hangs inside Paycom Center. This guide clears up the official list, explains why Sonics numbers stay separate, covers Collison’s legacy, and shows you where to verify the record.
You’ll know exactly which number is honored and which future candidates may join it.
The Only Official Oklahoma City Thunder Retired Number Is Nick Collison’s No. 4
Oklahoma City has retired exactly one number in its NBA history: Nick Collison’s No. 4. If you check the official okc thunder retired numbers on a team page, you’ll find a single entry rather than a long banner wall. Collison’s jersey was raised on March 20, 2019, making him the first player in Oklahoma City history to receive the honor.
That small list is unusual. Many NBA franchises honor multiple stars, but the Thunder have kept their standard high. Collison’s career numbers show why the choice was about more than scoring: he averaged 5.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game over 15 seasons, according to Basketball Reference.
The team honored Collison for his durability, leadership, and loyalty through relocation and a rebuild. That emphasis on tenure explains why the okc thunder retired numbers list has stayed at one name for several years.
How to apply this: Visit NBA.com/Thunder to see the current retired jersey listing before quoting any Oklahoma City banner history.
Why Seattle SuperSonics Retired Numbers Stay Separate
A common mistake is treating the okc thunder retired numbers list as a continuation of the Seattle SuperSonics. It isn’t. When the franchise moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City in 2008, the city of Seattle kept the Sonics’ name, colors, banners, and retired numbers. Oklahoma City began a new era with the Thunder.
That agreement differs from some relocations. The official Thunder records reflect the split, so Seattle legends like Lenny Wilkens and Jack Sikma are celebrated in Seattle, not at Paycom Center. The okc thunder retired numbers page on NBA.com includes only Oklahoma City-era honorees.
The Seattle Split Explained
The 2008 relocation settlement left Sonics history in Seattle. That means Oklahoma City’s retired number list starts fresh with Collison, not with the older Seattle banners. Fans looking for Gary Payton’s or Shawn Kemp’s numbers inside Paycom Center won’t find them.
How to apply this: When checking jersey history, filter for Oklahoma City-era team pages instead of Seattle SuperSonics fan lists.
How Nick Collison Earned the First Oklahoma City Retirement
Nick Collison’s path to the okc thunder retired numbers is not the typical superstar story. His career averages don’t scream “retire my jersey,” but the organization measured something harder to quantify: reliability. Collison stayed with the franchise from Seattle through relocation, a rebuild, and the 2012 NBA Finals run.
Drafted No. 12 overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in 2003, Collison played 910 regular-season games across 15 seasons. Those durability figures helped him become the first official member of the okc thunder retired numbers list. The organization used his No. 4 to establish a standard: longevity with the franchise matters more than box-score highlights.
How to apply this: Look beyond scoring averages when evaluating future Thunder jersey retirements — playoff impact and years of service often decide the honor.
Future OKC Thunder Retired Number Candidates to Watch
The next wave of okc thunder retired numbers will likely start with Russell Westbrook’s No. 0. Westbrook won the NBA MVP in 2017 and spent 11 seasons with the Thunder. No official retirement announcement has been made as of the 2025–26 season, but his candidacy is widely discussed.
Kevin Durant’s No. 35 is another frequent mention, though the relationship is more complicated after his 2016 departure. The team has not signaled a retirement for Durant. If Oklahoma City adds to the okc thunder retired numbers list, the move will likely come after a defining-era star formally retires and maintains a clear connection to the team.
The Westbrook Case
Westbrook’s tenure, MVP award, and multiple triple-double seasons make him the strongest future candidate. But the Thunder historically wait for a player’s career to end before acting.
How to apply this: Monitor official Thunder announcements after a major star retires; fan speculation alone won’t update the retired number banner.
Where to Verify OKC Thunder Retired Numbers Yourself
The easiest way to check the current okc thunder retired numbers list is to use two trusted sources. Start with NBA.com/Thunder for official team announcements and retired jersey records. Then confirm player data through Basketball Reference.
| Source | What it shows | Action to take |
|---|---|---|
| NBA.com/Thunder | Official team news and retired jersey info | Search for “retired number” to see No. 4 |
| Basketball Reference | Franchise stats and jersey number history | Open the Thunder page and view retired numbers |
| StatMuse | AI-powered sports data | Type “OKC Thunder retired numbers” to cross-check |
Basketball Reference’s Oklahoma City Thunder franchise page lists exactly one retired number: Nick Collison, No. 4. That database entry is the quickest way to settle debates about the okc thunder retired numbers list. Fan forums often mix Seattle and Oklahoma City history, so verify every claim against a primary source.
How to apply this: Save the Thunder’s official team page and Basketball Reference link, then check both before sharing a jersey retirement graphic.
Frequently Asked Questions About okc thunder retired numbers
Why doesn’t Oklahoma City honor Seattle’s retired jerseys?
During the 2008 relocation, the SuperSonics’ retired jerseys stayed with Seattle’s city history. As a result, the okc thunder retired numbers list includes only Oklahoma City-era honorees. You may see old Sonics banners in photos, but they are not displayed at Paycom Center.
If you’re checking official Oklahoma City records, use the Thunder’s official site rather than a general Sonics fan page.
Could the Thunder retire Russell Westbrook’s No. 0 before he officially retires?
Teams almost never retire a number while a player is still active. The okc thunder retired numbers list could add Westbrook’s No. 0 after his playing career ends, but a premature ceremony is unlikely. Monitor Westbrook’s retirement announcement first. The team would then schedule an official jersey retirement date through its normal release process.
What happens if a current player wants to wear Nick Collison’s No. 4?
Nick Collison’s No. 4 is off limits for current Thunder players because retired numbers cannot ordinarily be reissued. The only retired number in the okc thunder retired numbers list remains No. 4, so a new player wearing it would be using a different franchise’s jersey history.
Collison and the organization would need to approve any special exception, and that has not happened.
Are coaches or broadcasters eligible for okc thunder retired numbers?
The Thunder have only retired a player number, not a coach or broadcaster number. In some NBA markets, teams honor longtime voices with a separate banner, but the okc thunder retired numbers list currently recognizes one player: Nick Collison. If the organization ever adds a non-player category, it would likely use a different designation rather than a jersey number.
How often does the okc thunder retired numbers list update?
The okc thunder retired numbers list updates only when the organization holds an official jersey retirement ceremony. Since 2019, the team has not added a new number. If you see a post claiming a new retirement, search for a dated press release on the Thunder’s official site.
Fan edits and Seattle-era banner photos can make the list look longer than it actually is.
Conclusion
Key takeaways about the okc thunder retired numbers: - Oklahoma City has retired exactly one number: Nick Collison’s No. 4, since March 20, 2019. - Seattle SuperSonics retired numbers did not transfer to Oklahoma City. - Russell Westbrook’s No. 0 is the strongest future candidate, but nothing is official yet. - Always verify against NBA.com/Thunder and Basketball Reference before citing a list.
If you want to stay accurate, check the official Thunder page or Basketball Reference whenever you discuss Oklahoma City’s honored jerseys. That single-source habit prevents the most common fan mistake — mixing Seattle and Oklahoma City records. Bookmark those two pages now, and you’ll always know which numbers are truly retired.
