Westbrook, 27, piled up 18 triple-doubles last season, tying Magic Johnson for the most in the past 30 years.
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Griffin teaming up with Westbrook could be trouble for the Warriors, though perhaps not more so than the now-defunt combo of Westbrook and Durant.
The only thing that’s keeping this one a done deal is that Westbrook still in the process of flying back to Oklahoma City to sign and make it official.
The deal, first reported by ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, will extend Westbrook’s stay in Oklahoma City through the 2018-19 season and pay the All-Star $85 million dollars over three seasons.
This news ends any hope the Heat had at luring Westbrook to Miami as a free agent next summer.
The 6-foot-2 Randle played for CEZ Nymburk in the Czech Republic last season, averaging 12.8 points and 20.6 minutes.
Westbrook’s new deal comes one month to the day since Durant announced he would leave Oklahoma City for the Warriors.
With Kevin Durant gone, why would Westbrook decide to do this? There are plenty of reasons, but money is likely near the top of the list.
If the deal pushes through, Westbrook is reportedly set to make $26.5 million this upcoming season instead of $17.8 million. Both sides have been in serious negotiations, specifically on locking down the 27-year-old guard for two additional years after his current deal expires by the end of the next National Basketball Association season. “I love being here, and this is the place I wanted to be”.
A player who won’t return next year cast a long shadow over Westbrook’s new contract: Kevin Durant. And loyalty is something I stand by. Westbrook said. “That’s all I’m anxious about, to find ways to come in and figure out ways to make the team become a great organization”. “For me, just being able to see the team we have, the guys we have”.
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Like Durant before him, Westbrook will assuredly throw himself into the challenges facing his team the next two years.
