The OKC Thunder announced Monday that one-time NBA All-Star Jalen Williams has sustained a dislocated left ankle and a fractured fibula. Additionally, guard Cason Wallace has been diagnosed with a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
Thunder executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti addressed the media Monday regarding the team’s injuries. One reporter asked about the possibility of signing retired NBA star Russell Westbrook in light of the recent injuries.
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“I haven’t thought about anything relative to the roster spot,” Presti said, per USA Today’s Clemente Almanza. “I understand the question, but all I’m really focused on right now is players, giving them the right support and then helping everybody.”
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Many social media users criticized the reporter’s question, with several saying the individual should lose press access.
“Revoke their credentials immediately,” one fan tweeted.
“Media pass gotta be revoked for that insane question,” another said.
“Considering this question came after he said 5 separate times that he hasn’t thought about roster spots yet, I’d say whoever asked this probably should lose their press pass for the foreseeable future,” a fan posted.
Here are other reactions:
“Need to know who asked this question so they can never again be given the mic,” a fan posted.
“Shout out to whoever put that in his head,” another fan commented.
“I gotta be sure to ignore whoever that is forever going forward,” one fan wrote.
According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, Williams and Wallace will both undergo surgery to repair their injuries and could be sidelined for several months.
In August, Westbrook announced his retirement from the NBA after playing 18 seasons. He spent the first 11 years of his career with OKC and earned most of his career accolades with the team, including winning the 2017 league MVP award.
Sam Presti says the Thunder are not focused on roster moves yet
At the same media availability on Monday, OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti said he isn’t thinking about the team’s potential roster moves at the moment.
“For me, the last nine, 24 hours, whatever it’s been, is all on people,” Presti said. “But really, I haven’t given a lot of thought to that. Right now, it’s about those two guys (and) their families. … But as far as those types of things, right now it’s all about people management, our staff and everybody associated with our team.”
ESPN’s Bobby Marks said Monday that the Thunder, projected to be a first-apron team, could apply for a Disabled Player Exception (DPE) for both Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace. Marks added that the exception could be worth $15.04 million for Williams and $3.7 million for Wallace.
This designation would allow OKC to “trade, sign or claim off waivers a player in the last year of his contract.” The DPE would aid the Thunder’s potential roster moves, but an NBA-designated physician must determine if either player will be sidelined until June 15.
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