Gonzaga forward Domantas Sabonis smiles near the end of the teams' second-round game against Utah on Saturday, March 19, 2016, in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament in Denver. Gonzaga won 82-59. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Kevin Durant's looming free agency will overtake Oklahoma City and, really, the entire sports world at the start of July. But for the Thunder, another important summer checkpoint will be ongoing at the same time: summer league.

A few of OKC's young pieces are expected to compete: Cameron Payne, Josh Huestis and Mitch McGary. But perhaps the Thunder's most anticipated young talent, rookie Domantas Sabonis, won't be in Orlando for summer league, The Oklahoman has learned. But it's for good reason.

Sabonis, the 11th overall pick acquired in the Serge Ibaka trade, will focus on competing for his home country of Lithuania in the summer Olympics. His father, Hall of Famer Arvydas Sabonis, is the president of the Lithanian Basketball Federation. The country has a well-respected history in international hoops competitions, including three Olympic bronze medals. Sabonis is expected to play a role on the team, alongside fellow NBA big man Jonas Valanciunas.