NBA legend Gary Payton strongly rejects idea of Oklahoma City Thunder retiring his jersey

During the 1990s and early 2000s, Gary Payton was among the league’s top point guards. He spent years making his mark in the NBA, becoming a fan favorite before retiring in 2007. But when the idea of the Oklahoma City Thunder retiring his jersey came up, Payton was quick — and emphatic — in his opposition.

“Them (expletive) be talking about retired jersey in Oklahoma City,” Payton said in an appearance on Adam Ray’s 420 Show. “(Expletive) Oklahoma City because I ain’t never been there.”

Indeed, GP spent the prime of his career with the Seattle SuperSonics. Selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 1990 NBA Draft, he remained with the franchise until 2003. Over those years, the guard dazzled fans, earning 9 All-Star selections, 2 All-NBA First Team honors, a Defensive Player of the Year award, and leading the league in steals in 1996.

However, the SuperSonics no longer exist, after the franchise relocated in 2008 due to disputes with the city of Seattle over a new arena. The team has since become the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Why does Payton reject honors from the Thunder?

While the Thunder are technically the SuperSonics’ successor, Payton doesn’t see any connection between his time in Seattle and the franchise currently based in Oklahoma City. “It ain’t no better than the Seattle fans. I don’t give a (expletive) about what nobody say,” he said.

Payton went on to explain why he has no interest in having his jersey retired by the Thunder — and why the same would likely apply to another Seattle icon, Shawn Kemp. “Let’s make it real. Me and Shawn never played in front of Oklahoma City. We didn’t never play in front of their fans. So why should we give them the pleasure of what we started in Seattle to retire our jersey? Our fans should be having that pleasure,” said the 2006 NBA champion with the Miami Heat.

Payton has plans for the SuperSonics’ return

Since the SuperSonics left the league, Seattle fans have long awaited the return of an NBA team. Payton, whose identity is deeply tied to the city’s basketball legacy, is just as eager for that day to come.

“When the Sonics come back, and mostly we gonna be a part of that, we’re gonna retire Shawn and Detlef’s (Schrempf) jerseys first,” Payton said. “That’s what we want to do, so everybody will get a feel of what’s happening. We’re the three that did that ’90s stuff.”

Which jerseys have been retired by the SuperSonics and the Thunder?

While still active in the NBA, the Seattle SuperSonics retired six jerseys: Gus Williams (No. 1), Nathaniel McMillan (No. 10), Lenny Wilkens (No. 19), Spencer Haywood (No. 24), Fred Brown (No. 32), and Jack Sikma (No. 43).

The Oklahoma City Thunder did not continue that tradition and, notably, none of those jerseys are displayed in Paycom Center. In their 17 seasons as a franchise, the only number the Thunder have retired is No. 4, in honor of Nick Collison.