James Harden demanded a max contract and wouldn’t budge, so Oklahoma City traded him to Houston. Kevin Durant left to form a super team in Golden State.

Russell Westbrook stayed, collected triple-doubles at a historic rate, won an MVP, and forever became a hero to fans in Oklahoma City. Fittingly, the Thunder are going to retire his jersey on Feb. 7, a Sunday night game against the Knicks, a ceremony and a game you will be able to watch on NBC and stream on Peacock, part of Sunday Night Basketball.

“Many players make an impact but only great players leave a legacy. Russell Westbrook’s legacy was built both on the court and in the community,” Thunder Executive Vice President Sam Presti said in a statement announcing the honor. “His mindset was relentless, his commitment deep. For all those reasons, Oklahomans consider him one of their own and his number will be raised to the rafters, in Oklahoma City forever.”

It was considered a bit of a reach, and a bet on his athleticism, when Presti drafted Westbrook No. 4 out of UCLA — a bet that paid off handsomely. Westbrook played 11 seasons in Oklahoma City and was key to the Thunder reaching their first NBA Finals in 2012. In those 11 seasons, the Thunder made the playoffs nine times and reached the Western Conference Finals four times.

Westbrook’s greatest season in Oklahoma City was the 2016-17, when he racked up 42 triple-doubles on his way to averaging 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists — plus making a host of clutch plays for the team — and going on to win Most Valuable Player. Westbrook finished his career with 209 triple-doubles, the most in league history.

Westbrook is a lock future Hall of Famer: An MVP and member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, a nine-time All-NBA and All-Star, and a two-time scoring champion.

“We are incredibly proud to retire Russell’s number. Russell made a lasting mark on the city and state during his time with the team, and his involvement in the community has endured long after,” Thunder Chairman Clayton I. Bennett said in a statement. “We are deeply grateful for his genuine care for the people of Oklahoma, and he will always be considered a member of the Oklahoma City community.”

That community will rally to celebrate him on Feb. 7.