Thunder players reconnecting during L.A. workouts

Last season was a massive disappointment for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Injuries to Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka derailed the team, leaving Russell Westbrook to frantically carry the squad - when he wasn't hurt himself.

Looking forward and not back, those three players convened most of the Thunder roster in Los Angeles for workouts and bonding last week, according to Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman.

Ten players - including first-round pick Cameron Payne - joined the fun, which in addition to workouts on the UCLA campus included beach football in Santa Monica and dinners out.

While offseason workouts are common in the NBA, getting 10 players from one team in one place in the summer is rare.

"Guys want to be together," Durant said. "(We) want to see how we can get better with coach Donovan's system."

The franchise's first playoff-free season since 2009 cost coach Scott Brooks his job, paving the way for two-time NCAA champion Billy Donovan to take the reins. Furthermore, Durant's foot injury - which limited him to 27 games last season - kept him from playing with in-season Thunder additions like Kyle Singler and Enes Kanter.

"We're all new guys," Durant said.

Kanter, interestingly, did not attend the gathering in Los Angeles due to a prior commitment.

Assuming good health, the Thunder figure to be in the mix for the top four spots in what's shaping up to be another incredibly competitive season in the dominant Western Conference.