Back in June, reports surfaced suggesting that the Thunder may have reached a verbal agreement with Russian forward Andrey Vorontsevich. However, last month, CSKA Moscow announced that Vorontsevich decided not to use his NBA opt-out and would remain in Russia for the coming season.
Evan Dunlap of Orlando Pinstriped Post passes along a story from Basketnews.lt that indicates the Thunder weren't the only team interested in luring Vorontsevich stateside — according to the report, the Magic and Mavs had interest in the 25-year-old as well. Vorontsevich is entering the second year of a three-year contract with CSKA Moscow, so he could consider his NBA options again in the summer of 2014, or even in 2013, if his deal allows him the opportunity to opt out again next summer.
As part of a statement released last month when he made his decision to remain in Russia, the longtime CSKA Moscow forward said: "I am glad to see the interest from NBA clubs but I think it is better for me from professional point of view to stay with CSKA."