Scott Brooks led the Thunder to the Western Conference championship three of the past four seasons, but the team announced Wednesday Brooks would not be returning next season.
"This is extremely difficult decision on many levels," OKC general manager Sam Presti said. "Soctt helped establish the identity of the Thunder and has earned his rightful place in the history of our organization through his seven years as a valued leader and team member."
Broks has a .620 career winning percentage and was getting ready to be in the final year of his contract. The Thunder went 45-37 this season.
"As you know in the past year we had unique and challenging circumstances," Presti said. "Therefore it is very important to state that this decision is not a reflection of this past season but rather an assessment of what we feel is necessary at this point to evolve, progress and sustain.
"We determined that, in order to stimulate progress a transition of this kind was necessary for the program."
Brooks led Oklahoma City to The Finals in 2012. After that, the Thunder lost in the first round of the playoffs when Russell Westbrook got hurt, then got to the West Finals before Serge Ibaka got hurt. This season, Kevin Durant played just 27 games and the Thunder missed the playoffs.
Whoever is hired to replace Brooks will inherit a team that has Durant in the last season of his contract. Russell Westbrook's deal comes up at the end of the 2017 season.
Follow Andrew Gilman on Twitter: @andrewgilmanOK
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