The Thunder holds a comfortable lead as the NBA’s top free-throw shooting team and upped its team percentage to an astounding .873 after converting 35 of 37 free throws in a 109-103 victory over Philadelphia on Wednesday night inside Oklahoma City Arena. “It’s not just because we practice it. Our guys are good free-throw shooters,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. “You don’t expect to make 35 out of 37 every night, but I feel we should be in the 80s as a team. It’s definitely an asset to have knowing that if the game is close, we can throw it to anybody and I feel confident they’re going to make the two shots (at the line).” — Oklahoman

Former Washington State star Kyle Weaver will continue his basketball career in Israel.
Weaver, who was waived by Oklahoma City on Friday, signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv on Monday. The terms of the contract were not released. Weaver joins former WSU teammate Derrick Low in the Israeli Super League. Low is under contract with Maccabi Haifa. — KREM

During an hour-long special on NBATV at 6 p.m. Tuesday, the league will reveal marquee games it has scheduled for opening week, Christmas Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day during the 2010-11 season. Don’t be surprised if the Thunder is included on all three occasions. The full NBA schedule will be released Aug. 10. This is the first time the league has unveiled portions of its schedule early. The Thunder gained nationwide appeal with its 50-win season last year, which was followed by a commendable performance against the world champion Lakers in the playoffs. For these reasons, it is anticipated the Thunder will be slated for more national telecasts. — Oklahoman

Even with 16 players signed, Oklahoma City sits more than $6 million below the $58.04 million salary cap. That kind of cap space is enough to afford the Thunder the opportunity to swap a 15th man for a future draft pick — maybe even a first-rounder if OKC is willing to take back a sizeable contract. It’s doubtful, however, that GM Sam Presti would pull the trigger on any deal involving a player whose contract had more than one year remaining. But teams like Dallas, Denver, Houston, Orlando and the Los Angeles Lakers are all far enough above the luxury tax that they might be willing partners in an attempt to cut costs.

Since the Thunder’s coaching staff and front office is pleased with the returning nine-man rotation, and No. 11 overall pick Cole Aldrich is entrenched in the long-term plans, that leaves Byron Mullens, D.J. White and Kyle Weaver as the most likely candidates to be on the outside looking in. Mullens has shown the most development of the trio and, as an athletic 7-foot center, is a rare commodity that the Thunder isn’t likely to throw away after only one season. White is another big man who can provide rebounding and court spacing with his mid-range shooting ability. And so it appears Weaver could be the last man standing, possibly squeezed out of a fast-developing roster. The question is how exactly will the Thunder proceed? The easiest thing for the Thunder to do could be to waive Weaver or whomever it might be that is caught in the numbers game. — Oklahoman

When told he’s now the face of Team USA, Durant doesn’t buy it. Just listen to the modest Oklahoma City forward talk about the difference in how he and star LeBron James made announcements two weeks ago. James had an ESPN show called “The Decision” to let it be known he would leave Cleveland to sign with Miami as a free agent. Durant sent it out by Twitter that he had finalized a contract extension with the Thunder that begins in 2011-12. “I told somebody the other day, man, Lebron James is the biggest name in sports,” Durant said. “Nothing he does is ever going to be quiet. You can’t blame him for what happened and how he made his decision. But I’m a little different. Nobody really knows me too much. Nobody really knows our team. So they didn’t really care where I was going.” — Fanhouse

The Thunder needs a low-post scoring threat before truly arriving as a championship contender. And to some degree, that might certainly be the case. But the truth of the matter is there just isn’t enough room for a player like Al Jefferson to command the ball on this roster. Realistically, how many times a game will Westbrook and Durant dump it down to a post player, stand around and watch him work? And how long would it be until a low-post threat like Jefferson starts complaining and turns into a cancer?
With a $42 million price tag, those are questions the Thunder is better off not knowing the answers to, especially with a guy like Jefferson, who is looking more and more like a whiner than a winner. In six seasons, Jefferson’s teams have compiled a 163-329 record. Jefferson has been to the playoffs once over that span, back in his rookie season when Boston fell in Game 7 to Indiana. – OKLAHOMAN

From a business standpoint, the Thunder is being wise about its budget. To ink Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green, James Harden and Serge Ibaka to contract extensions without having an overblown budget, the Thunder must utilize some restraint now. And that’s precisely what OKC has done in sitting on the sidelines while others splurge on free agents. – Oklahoman

Because D.J. White is in his third season, league rules prohibit the Thunder from assigning him to the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA D-League. That means Thunder general manager Sam Presti must soon make a decision on White, either now or during the season if he hasn’t hurdled the competition. “This is my third year here, and I understand it’s part of the business,” White said. There was a but. “I’m still young,” White reminded. “I’m still young just like the other guys. I’m 23 so I’ve got a lot of room to develop.” It’s a fact, one that makes White so tempting even as the roster continues to swell with talent. – Oklahoman

Kevin Durant’s deal doesn’t kick in until the 2011-12 season, but should the salary cap rise again, the Thunder’s star could be in line for closer to a five-year, $90 million deal. “This is more of a wake-up call than anything, just letting me know that this is just the beginning for me,” Durant told The Oklahoman. “I just got to keep improving and letting people know that I really deserve this.” The contract does not contain a player option, a clause that would have allowed Durant to become a free agent following the fourth year of the deal. Durant didn’t want one. “I’m a very loyal person,” Durant explained. “People say that might hurt me sometimes, but I think it’s a great attribute that I have. By them offering me the max, it shows me that they’re loyal to me as well. So I was ready just ready to sign right then and there, opt out or not, and start moving forward. “We’re building something great here, and I didn’t want anything to jeopardize that. I’m happy I’m a part of this organization, and hopefully everybody sticks together.” – Oklahoman

Kevin Durant, who rarely has turned down a media member’s request for an interview during his three years in the league, shot down several journalists Wednesday. He declined two requests from NBA TV, which is broadcasting every summer league game live from Orlando. Durant said he wanted to avoid the same stress that was placed on him during the negotiating process when shoe companies lined up for his services just before his rookie season. – Oklahoman