It’s official- Russell Westbrook is staying in Oklahoma City.
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Another interesting, but amusing moment occurred when Westbrook was asked if Durant’s departure stung more because he joined the Warriors (who beat the Thunder in the playoffs).
Enthusiasm for Westbrook’s signing extended to the Oklahoma City city hall, with mayor Mick Cornett proclaiming Thursday Russell Westbrook Day.
Fast forward to August 3, when Westbrook signed a three-year $85-million deal to stay in Oklahoma City.
“There’s no place I’d rather be than Oklahoma City“, said Westbrook. “You guys have basically raised me (…) through the good and the bad, you guys have supported me”.
“Thirty years ago, that’s me”, he said of Westbrook. To me, that’s just my mentality: “what’s the next thing we need to do to help our team win”.
Westbrook averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.6 assists in the seven years that he played in OKC.
Having lost small forward Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors and getting nothing in return, it would have been devastating to the Thunder franchise if Westbrook had been allowed to walk either as a free agent next summer or of OKC would have been forced to trade him. A source with direct knowledge of the situation says the Thunder have reached a new deal with All-Star guard Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook’s move to sign and extension is surprising though it may be a seed of bigger things to come.
Durant and Westbrook appeared in four conference finals and one NBA Finals.
Russell Westbrook renewed his contract with his team, Oklahoma City Thunder.
One of the questions posed to him seemed to underline just how much Westbrook enjoys being on the team.
Westbrook sent a message to the National Basketball Association world: I’m not Kevin Durant. The deal is two years with a player option for third year. But me, being able to have the opportunity to be able to extend and be here, that’s what I wanted to do, and I stand behind that.
“Our relationship was great, we had great years man – something that you can never take away from us”.
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“(I found out) like y’all found out”, Westbrook said. In addition to losing Durant and Dion Waiters to free agency, he dealt forward Serge Ibaka to the Orlando Magic in a package for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and the rights to draft Domantas Sabonis. The Thunder described the news conference would be a “major announcement”. Westbrook’s competitive side showed when he was asked if Durant’s leaving for Golden State (and not another team) made his departure sting more than it might have. So I’ve got nothing but positive energy and vibes for everybody.
