Westbrook and Durant turned the Thunder into contenders, leading the team to the Western Conference finals last season.
Advertisement
Westbrook’s contract had been set to expire after next season and, after Durant’s departure – which was unexpected by Thunder fans – rumors swirled about Westbrook’s future while he publicly remained silent. As reported by ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Russell Westbrook signed a contract extension, keeping him in Oklahoma City until at least 2018. The agreement reportedly includes one guaranteed year for 2017-18, a player option the following season and is worth a total of $85.7 million. “It’s easy for someone else to tell me what I should do, but you guys don’t know how that whole thing [went down]”.
“To me, that’s just my mentality: What’s the next thing we need to do to help our team win?” Definitely wanted to have the opportunity to be loyal to you guys. During the press briefing, the Thunder’s best player said that “Loyalty is something he stands by”. Westbrook recorded 18 triple-doubles last season while averaging 23.5 points, 10.4 assists, 7.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals.
Right now, fans of the Thunder have something to look forward to as Westbrook looks to dominate once again, but this time with a new backcourt partner in recently acquired Victor Oladipo from the Orlando Magic.
Back to the original questions: Why did Russell Westbrook sign a contract extension with the Thunder?
What was next was a new deal for the five-time NBA All-Star and 2016 first-team All-NBA player.
The Northwest is quietly going to become the best division in the National Basketball Association over the next couple of seasons, as all five teams should be in contention for the division title as soon as 2017-2018.
Kevin Durant talks to the media after an Olympic practice.
Westbrook’s new deal comes one month to the day since Durant announced he would leave Oklahoma City for the Warriors. He applauded Westbrook for staying with the Thunder, and called his eventual conversation with him a “touchy deal”. The Thunder described the news conference would be a “major announcement”. Asked if Durant choosing the Warriors made it sting more, Westbrook responded, “Sting for who?” “My job now is to worry about what’s in front of me”, said Westbrook.
Advertisement
“I’ve got the utmost confidence, not only in Russell’s leadership ability, but he’s gotten better every single season and I think we’re going to see continued growth and dimensions to his game, just given the adjustments to the personnel”, Presti said.
