Fast forward to August 3, when Westbrook signed a three-year $85-million deal to stay in Oklahoma City. The Thunder were staring at a situation where they could potentially lose their two stars in back-to-back offseasons, but fortunately, they avoided this happening by getting Westbrook to agree to a huge three-year extension.
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What was next was a new deal for the five-time NBA All-Star and 2016 All-NBA first-teamer.
That would have enabled the guard to earn a max deal taking up 35 percent of Oklahoma City’s cap – a projected cap of $110-plus million.
Enthusiasm for Westbrook’s signing extended to the Oklahoma City city hall, with mayor Mick Cornett proclaiming Thursday Russell Westbrook Day.
Terms of the contract were not announced, but multiple media reports said it was for three-years and $86 million.
In a statement, Westbrook shared that he is grateful to renew his Thunder contract and said that he loves to be part of it since he was drafted into the N.B.A.
Westbrook last season tied Magic Johnson for the most triple-doubles in the last 50 years, with an NBA-high 18.
Westbrook has played all eight seasons of his National Basketball Association career with Oklahoma City, averaging 21.5 points, 7.6 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 587 games while teaming up with forward Kevin Durant.
Then word came out later in July that Durant had never actually called Westbrook, and that Westbrook was “hurt and angry about it”. The UCLA product has helped guide the Thunder to the Western Conference Finals in four of the past six seasons.
Without Durant, the Thunder are not Western Conference contenders any more but they still have Westbrook, who is expected to perform better and be one of the Most Valuable Player (MVP) candidates next year. Durant was a free agent, and he gets to make whatever decision he wants.
He’s history. Choosing not to follow Durant out the door, either in two seasons or through refusing an extension and therefore being traded before or during this coming season, Westbrook is now the face, and the heart, of Thunder Nation.
“On behalf of the Thunder organization and the entire State of Oklahoma I want to congratulate Russ and offer my honest appreciation for not only his profound presence and skill as a player, but for his high character, personal integrity and extraordinary leadership”, said Clayton I. Bennett, Thunder chairman.
The Thunder’s smooth-talking general manager, Sam Presti, fielded questions about whether he was done making moves with the Thunder roster. Talent-wise, this means that the OKC Thunder is in a state of rebuilding the team around Russell Westbrook, after rumors of a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers earlier began to surface, ultimately fizzling out with this recent Westbrook contract renewal.
“Nah, that’s a touchy deal”, said Durant, referring to the possibility of reaching out to Westbrook and congratulating him. “My job now is to worry about what’s in front of me”, said Westbrook. “You know what I’m going to say”. It’s good for his family.
But he texted this person he had accomplished so much with to let him know he was leaving and going to his rival, and he also didn’t take out any ads in the Oklahoman to thank the fans. I don’t have no beef with anybody or wish no ill will on anybody. There’s no ill will with anybody. If he did what he wanted to do, that’s better. “That’s great for him”.
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If this sounds familiar, it’s because this is the same reason Kevin Durant gave following his decision to join the Golden State Warriors one month ago today.
