After 15 years in the NBA, Nick Collison, the last remaining Seattle Supersonic-turned Oklahoma City Thunder player, is retiring from the league. He stayed with the franchise for his entire career.
Nick Collison, the last Sonics lifer, is retiring from the NBA after 15 years
Collison has been with the Thunder since before they were the Thunder.
Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
“I got to stay here a long time,” Collison penned in an ESPN story told by Royce Young, “but now it’s time to go.”
Collison was a rarity in the NBA, sticking with the team that drafted him for so long. The only active players left who have spent 10 or more years with the team that drafted them, invoking “lifer” status include Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Dirk Nowitzki, Udonis Haslem, Mike Conley, Russell Westbrook, and DeAndre Jordan.
A four-year Kansas Jayhawks player and Big 12 Player of the Year, Collison was drafted No. 12 in 2003 by the Sonics. He missed his entire rookie season to shoulder injuries, but went on to become a role player, and occasional starter through his prime years in OKC.
Most memorably, he played alongside the young OKC Thunder team of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and Serge Ibaka that went to the NBA Finals. The team would trade Harden the following offseason.
“There have been a few other gut punches,” Collison said, “but I won’t dwell on them here. The eventual 30-for-30 will be really good. It’ll probably have to be a four-part mini-series.”
Collison also lived through the Durant and Westbrook drama as the former signed with the conference rival Golden State Warriors. Though most of his teammates haven’t been shy expressing disdain for their former co-worker, he had a warm mention for him, as well as Russ.
“I love KD,” Collison said. “I miss him. I played my best basketball with James [Harden]. I wish we would have had more time. I feel like a proud big brother watching Russ become both the player and the man that he is. I really appreciate all the battles we’ve been through.”
Collison will always be an OKC and Seattle fan favorite, and a rare example of a basketball lifer who stole the hearts of fanbases in TWO cities, even just as a role player.
Though he played just 75 minutes all season, by the many reactions of Thunder fans ...
His presence on the court will be missed.
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