Former Oklahoma City Thunder forward Aleksej Pokusevski has publicly stated his ambition to return to the NBA, speaking from his current club in Russia. The 24-year-old's comments arrive as the Thunder, who waived him in the 2024-25 season, recently fell 103-111 to the San Antonio Spurs on May 31, 2026, part of a tough 1W-4L stretch in their last five games.
What did Aleksej Pokusevski say about an NBA return?
In an interview, Pokusevski opened up about his future. "I'm definitely thinking about returning to the NBA," he said. The Serbian forward stressed a realistic approach, noting his age as a factor. He averaged 7.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists over 168 NBA games.
Pokusevski explained his current focus is on daily improvement. "I have to take steps every day not to get to the NBA, but to a level where I can play good basketball with real status, in Lokomotiv or some EuroLeague team," he told the outlet. He believes an NBA return must happen naturally through consistent performance and sound decisions.
His career began with the Thunder, who selected him in the first round. After three and a half seasons in Oklahoma City, he was waived midway through the 2024-25 campaign. He finished that season with the Charlotte Hornets before heading to Europe.
How is the Oklahoma City Thunder roster shaping up?
The Thunder's context has shifted dramatically since Pokusevski's departure. Just one season after waiving him, Oklahoma City won the 2025 NBA championship. They followed that with the league's best regular-season record but lost in the Western Conference Finals.
Facing financial constraints like the second apron, the team made significant moves this past summer. They parted ways with key role players Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins. Dort and Wiggins were traded to the Atlanta Hawks in separate deals, while Joe was acquired by the Detroit Pistons.
To fill those gaps, the Thunder are banking on internal development. The team expects Cason Wallace, Jared McCain, Ajay Mitchell and rookie Nikola Topic to step up. You can track the progress of this new-look squad on our roster page.
What comes next for both parties?
For Pokusevski, the path is clear. He must prove himself with Lokomotiv Kuban in the VTB United League. He acknowledged needing to improve his body and strength to reach the next level. His flashes of brilliance in the NBA were offset by inconsistency, a hurdle he must now clear overseas.
For the Thunder, the immediate focus is on reversing their recent form. The loss to San Antonio on May 31 was their fourth consecutive defeat. Building chemistry with their younger players will be essential for the upcoming season. Fans can monitor the team's recovery in our standings and schedule sections.
The situations are now distinct. Pokusevski works towards a potential comeback, while Oklahoma City manages a championship-caliber team in transition. Both journeys will be worth watching as the next NBA season approaches.
