Daniel Orton back with the Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder will bring back previously waved Daniel Orton to fill one of the two roster spots left open by the James Harden trade. Orton, an Oklahoma City native, is excited to re-join his twin brother Russell Westbrook with the defending Western Conference Champions.
That puts UK at 21 current NBA players.
24 Comments for Daniel Orton back with the Thunder
Am I wrong for being disappointed about this?
Huge news, Drew. Must be a busy day at KSR today.
“Daniel come back.” “I can’t m%@^#%$^&#^!”
@1 He still played for the Cats. Show a little support.
Well, as bad as Orton is, he’s still not as bad as Hasheem Thabeet.
Daniel Orton? Never heard of him.
I’m happy for Orton, regardless of what he did, he is still a past UK player. I think if he had to do it over again, he would have made a different choice. I think other players see what happened to him and know they should not do the same thing.
Nope, still 20 UK players….
Still would like to see this kid make it, though he probably won’t. He’s the personification of greed and poor judgement, well I guess him and his dad. Instant gradification I’m sure would be tempting, but it seemed that he and his father were the only 2 people in the world who couldn’t see that he was 3 years away from being ready for the next step. And to many on here who said there was no way to go wrong by taking a NBA contract,,,,,Wrong. I fear he’ll be out of options within 5 years. Under 2 or 3 more years of Cal’s preperation, he’d of had a much greater chance of long term success.
4) I support former Cats that at least acted like they wanted to be here. I count Kanter before Orton, and Kanter never played in a single game. Orton is a DB and I won’t be supporting him at all. But thanks, anyway…
Too bad we couldn’t find a fax for him like we did Randolph Morris.
I don’t think Orton and his dad were the only people thinking he should go pro. We all know that Cal will tell a kid to go if he thinks he will be a first rounder. The only problem I have with Orton is that he did not finish his classes. I would have left for the money as well. Especially with his history of knee problems.
They really do look like twins. Its uncanny
That is most definitely Russell Westbrook in the picture on the right.
14 – Or is it?
They don’t all look alike
I think Orton made a logical choice. Here’s a guy with knee issues; if I think I can get first-round money, I’d take it over the chance that I’d hurt my further draft position with another knee injury. He may have been a jerk, but I can’t fault him here.
I never knew you.
I met Daniel Orton two weeks ago on a Sunday evening when I was in OKC for business. He was extremely polite, humble and engaging. Smiled the entire time we talked about UK. Told me that Liggins was busting his butt to make the Thunder’s roster (which he did).
Orton did what he needed to given his knee issues. I don’t like that left early for selfish reasons- or that he didn’t finish his school work- but he was an 18 year old kid being advised by his family. He signed with Orlando and almsot immediately needed knee surgery. He likely would’ve needed it had he stayed and hurt his draft prospects.
Great news for Orton and our program. No reason we fans can’t call a truce with Orton and wish him well.
dirk nowitzki said UK, who recruited him, would have been his choice if he had decided to play college ball. he respects bbn more than orton
No problem with going pro if you go to class.
I like what #19 writes. Yes the kid should have finished the semester classes at UK. Besides that, he didn’t do anything wrong. Taking a first round NBA draftee paycheck is not doing something wrong.
waived
I can’t believe our fans can’t seem to find it in their hearts to cut this guy a break. His MOTHER died during his SR. year. You know, the same Sr. year that he sat out entirely due to injury!!! He was a 18 year-old child that was doing what the people around him (father) told him to do. Have some damn compassion. He was a good person and all anyone can talk about is what bad things he did. It’s really put us in a bind, hasn’t it?