Enthusiasm for Westbrook’s signing extended to the Oklahoma City city hall, with mayor Mick Cornett proclaiming Thursday Russell Westbrook Day.
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Terms of the contract were not announced, but multiple media reports said it was for three-years and $86 million.
The Oklahoma City Thunder may have lost Kevin Durant this summer, but Russell Westbrook isn’t going anywhere.
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.
Soon after Westbrook’s post (which Kanter retweeted), Kanter hopped back on Twitter to troll Durant. There are plenty of reasons, but money is likely near the top of the list. The new deal calls for an $8.7 million increase in Westbrook’s salary for this season, from $17.8 million to the maximum $26.5 million. By becoming a free agent in 2018, he can secure a tier 3 max contract, the largest type of max deal, which is given to players who have been in the National Basketball Association for 10 years or more. The UCLA product was slated for restricted free agency in 2017; and now it’s 2018.
In speaking about the Oklahoma City fans on Thursday, Westbrook said, “Definitely, when I had the opportunity to be loyal to you guys, that’s the number one option”.
Last season, Westbrook averaged 23.5 points, 10.4 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game, plus was named to the All-NBA 1st Team. At that point he will have the ability to sign with another team, or he can try for a max contract with the Thunder. By playing ten years in the league, Westbrook is able to sign a higher max contract according to the National Basketball Association pay rules. The Thunder is still a playoff contender and fans should expect Russell Westbrook to be a strong MVP candidate. And that’s how I feel about every player in this league.
Signing Westbrook would be a massive coup for the Thunder.
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General manager Sam Presti said Westbrook “personifies numerous traits that are synonymous with Oklahoma and Oklahomans. We are just overjoyed that he will continue his career and his legacy with the Thunder”.
