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Thunder GM Sam Presti, coach Billy Donovan received death threats after Paul George trade

Many Oklahoma City fans weren’t happy to see the the franchise’s recent roster moves this summer, which included sending Paul George to Los Angeles and Russell Westbrook to Houston.

After an interesting summer, it’s clear the Thunder are in rebuilding mode — which is a very understandable thing for fans to be upset about.

One Thunder fan, however, took it way too far.

Oklahoma City police are investigating after a man allegedly made death threats against the Thunder, general manager Sam Presti and coach Billy Donovan via phone, according to KOCO5.

“Y’all traded Paul George but kept Raymond Felton. You kept Andre Roberson. Do y’all not love Russell Westbrook?” a transcript of a voicemail left with the Thunder’s front office, via KOCO5. “I hope he kill everybody. I want to kill everybody.”

The man, per the report, said he’s from Virginia and “didn’t care if the team reported” his calls to the police. He insulted head coach Billy Donovan and threatened to “beat everyone who works for the Thunder.” He also made a bomb reference and said he would “blow things up” if he ever went to Oklahoma.

A man reportedly left threatening voicemails with the Thunder's front office, saying he would "blow things up" after the franchise's recent roster moves.
A man reportedly left threatening voicemails with the Thunder's front office, saying he would "blow things up" after the franchise's recent roster moves. (AP/Aaron Gash)

The man reportedly called and left a second voicemail minutes later, where he repeated his threats and then threatened Presti and his family.

“We defer to the authorities and they can handle the situation as they see fit,” Thunder officials said in a statement, via KOCO5.

After trading George to the Los Angeles Clippers for an array of draft picks, which was part of the deal that landed Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonard with the Clippers, the Thunder traded Westbrook to the Rockets for Paul and and multiple draft picks last week. The Thunder were looking to move Paul elsewhere in the league, however reportedly struggled to find a trade partner for the nine-time All-Star. Paul is now expected to start the season with Oklahoma City after all.

Police are currently investigating the threats, and have acquired a search warrant to track the phone calls.

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