Offseason
Draft picks
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College/Club team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 | Cameron Payne | PG |  United States | Murray State |
| 2 | 48 | Dakari Johnson | C | United States | Kentucky |
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
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]
On June 29, the Thunder announced Monty Williams, Maurice Cheeks, and Anthony Grant as assistant coaches and Billy Schmidt as quality control coach. Williams joins the Thunder after serving five seasons as the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans leading the Pelicans to a playoff appearance in the 2014–15 season. Cheeks re-joined the Thunder after serving as the head coach of the Detroit Pistons during the 2013–14 season. Grant joins the Thunder after serving six seasons as the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Schmidt joins the Thunder after serving last season under Billy Donovan at the University of Florida. [16]
