Aug 4, 2016 Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder have reached agreement in principle on a new contract potentially worth $85.7 million over the next three seasons, league sources told ESPN. The deal includes a player option that would allow Westbrook to still become a free agent after the 2017-18 season. Westbrook, who has played all eight seasons of his career for the Thunder, will sign the contract on Thursday in Oklahoma City, sources said. Talks between the sides centered around the addition of two more years to Westbrook's current deal, which expires after the 2016-17 season. The new deal would call for Westbrook's salary to jump from $17.8 million next season to the maximum $26.5 million. He would then earn the max the next two seasons if he exercises the third-year option. The player option for the third season of the deal will allow Westbrook to capitalize on the league rule allowing players who have completed 10 seasons to earn a larger max salary. According to league sources, Russell Westbrook will sign a new three-year deal with the Thunder on Thursday in Oklahoma City. In the wake of former MVP Kevin Durant signing with the Golden State Warriors, the Thunder made locking up Westbrook to a long-term deal their primary offseason objective. Oklahoma City removed its qualifying offer to restricted free agent Dion Waiters to free up cap space to offer Westbrook a max extension. Waiters agreed to a deal with the Miami Heat last month. Westbrook had a season for the ages in 2015-16, tying Magic Johnson for the most triple-doubles in the past 50 years with a league-high 18, including six in the month of March. A five-time All-Star and two-time All-Star Game MVP, Westbrook averaged 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 10.4 assists last season and finished fourth in the MVP voting. @NBAsxn http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...-oklahoma-city-thunder-serious-talks-new-deal Great move for both sides. The deal gives him a huge raise for the next 2 years (more than he would have made had he waited for this off season, even in OKC) and gives OKC a chance to make more moves and recruit somebody like Blake Griffin in the off season. I wanna say he's a lock to win MVP, but even if he gets them to the playoffs it's not a guarantee. Kobe dragged the Lakers in for a few years as clearly the best player in the league and wasn't even able to get one until 08.
Aug 4, 2016 This guy is seriously likable. The league needs more players that play like him and more that are loyal like him.
Aug 4, 2016 I'm sure he appreciated the Ibaka trade--that was designed to make the team better for another title run this year. I don't blame Durant for leaving; siding with management in these situations always feels weird, and I don't think it's unreasonable to stay away from Russ in (what we thought was going to be) his contract year. I do think it's fair to think choosing the Warriors was lame. I'm very glad the Wolves didn't pull the trigger on a Russ trade, if it was on the table as reported.
Aug 4, 2016 It's a nice move from Russ no doubt, but he's getting a HUGE raise, and making more by signing this extension than he would have resigning in the off season. It's basically a 1 year extension, he'll opt out of the 3rd year because it'll be his 10th season and he'll be due for even more money.
Aug 4, 2016 Yeah especially considering Ibaka had given off the vibe that he'd be gone next season. Really makes the Harden trade look even worse because he & Russ would have been really dynamic together. It's lame Durant left in the sense that as an NBA fan, it eliminates a title contender (OKC), but I can't hate on somebody for putting themselves in the best situation possible.
Aug 4, 2016 Exactly, when it seemed that Russ was on the immediate way out, it simply shortened the list of contenders by one, whereas if he'd gone to New York or Chicago or something it makes the league more competitive, or at least a zero-sum game. I'll be pulling for OKC to restock even more and make a run.
Aug 4, 2016 Rumor is they want to make a big run at Griffin because of his OKC ties. Might have a shot but I feel like he likes LA too much, and he put a lot of effort into making sure DeAndre resigned a few years ago. Besides the Harden trade, Presti's had a great track record in making deals so if I'm Russ, I definitely have confidence in him improving the team. He basically stole Sabonis & Oladipo from Orlando for a grumpy, expiring player.
Aug 4, 2016 I'm just glad he won't be entering the free agency next season. I actually really like the Thunder because of him.
Aug 4, 2016 Yeah he's definitely one of my 5 favorite players in the league. His numbers are gonna be insane this year. I could easily see OKC having a season kinda similar to Portland last year.
Aug 4, 2016 Spit directly in Durant's eye, love it. Refreshing to see... As much as i would have loved him in Boston that was a pipe dream, sucks that it probably rules Blake out for us as well though.
Aug 4, 2016 I don't know if it rules him out. Everyone talks about Blake to OKC, but even if he's from there the guy clearly wants/needs to be in a major media market.
Aug 5, 2016 Love Russ for this. He'd be short on odds for MVP next season for sure if OKC can be competitive.
