Russell Westbrook signed a contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, ending speculation that has run rampant since Kevin Durant departed for the Golden State Warriors. The full deal is worth in the neighborhood of $85 million over three years, which includes a raise in Westbrook’s 2016-17 salary (which the Thunder were allowed to do using their cap space) and two additional years, including a player option for the third year.
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Westbrook averaged 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 10.5 assists and 2.0 steals last season. And when Kevin Durant spurned the Oklahoma City Thunder in favor of the Golden State Warriors earlier this offseason, the masses were certain Westbrook wouldn’t last the upcoming campaign in Oklahoma City and would be traded over the winter.
The anticipation of where Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook could land during 2017 free agency is now over. Westbrook officially signed his extension with the Thunder and then held a pep rally slash news conference at the arena in downtown OKC. “There’s no need to waste time”, Westbrook told reporters, perhaps hinting to his old running mate Durant. As long as the chemistry of the team improves, Westbrook’s game goes to another level.
The Boston Celtics have gone after every available superstar (and even some who weren’t) over the past year, and will most assuredly be interested in entertaining discussions for Westbrook. Westbrook was reportedly “angry and hurt” with how Durant mysteriously handled the decision.
After the announcement Thursday, the team feted Westbrook at an event that was part pep rally and part news conference.
That being said, spots four through eight down will all be fairly close.
Westbrook echoed Presti’s sentiments, per Fred Katz of the Norman Transcript: “There is nowhere else I’d rather be than Oklahoma City…”
We’ve seen Westbrook show that he can average big points per game (28.1 in 2014-15), as well as improve as a passer. I would say that today is one of the more remarkable days that I’ve had since I’ve done this job, just because of the way people have reacted to what Russell has chosen to do. he didn’t have to do this, he chose to.
Durant alluded to as much, deciding that he wasn’t going to immediately congratulate Westbrook on the extension, but to put off any personal talks until the animosity between the two has ended. So, how good can this team be with Westbrook as The Man?
On Thursday afternoon, Westbrook was asked if it would be. Oklahoma City will be a power football team in basketball garb, with Westbrook as the option quarterback and the duo of Steven Adams and Enes Kanter as pulling guards who pound the opposition into the sand. So I’ve got nothing but positive energy and vibes for everybody.
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That’s clear when you understand how the organization, not just the players but the entire organization embraced Monty Williams and Dion Waiters after both suffered tragic deaths in their immediate families this past year.
