Oklahoma City Thunder anxiety building with Russell Westbrook
The Oklahoma City Thunder and their fans are growing more anxious by the day as Russell Westbrook has not yet made a decision about the contract extension offer.
Last offseason, the Oklahoma City Thunder organization and fans of the team were delivered a big blow. Kevin Durant hit free agency and decided to sign with the Golden State Warriors in hopes of winning a championship. The loss of a superstar isn’t easy to overcome, but when you already have another superstar in place it is a little easier to stomach.
The Thunder had that luxury with Russell Westbrook already in the fold. The last offseason Westbrook committed to the Thunder, unlike Durant. Westbrook agreed to an extension last offseason, committing to the Thunder in the wake of Durant departing as a free agent. However, that commitment could be changing.
Last offseason, a motivating factor for Westbrook to sign that extension with an out clause was to hit the 10-year plateau of playing in the NBA. When a player hits 10 years of service, his max contract earnings increase. A 10-year veteran could sign a contract worth 35 percent of a team’s cap.
Oklahoma City Thunder
That timeline meant that Westbrook could opt out of his contract in 2018 and reevaluate his future. It gave the Thunder a chance to put a competitive team around Westbrook, which they did. The Thunder were able to acquire Paul George via trade with the Indiana Pacers, arguably the biggest surprise of the offseason.
In free agency, the Thunder were also very shrewd. Despite being over the salary cap, the Thunder made excellent additions. Patrick Patterson was signed using the mid-level exception. Raymond Felton was signed to a veteran’s minimum deal, as was Nick Collison. Andre Roberson, who was a restricted free agent, signed a three-year, $30 million deal; a great deal for both sides given the other contracts handed out.
The Thunder did their job in adding talent around the Thunder. However, the 10-year plateau that Westbrook was aiming to hit is no longer needed and has Thunder personnel and fans getting anxious.
In the new collective bargaining deal, Westbrook is eligible for the designated veteran player extension. He was made retroactively eligible for that extension, just as James Harden was. Harden signed that mega deal, along with John Wall and Stephen Curry.
That contract is something that Westbrook could sign, but he has given no indication of what he is thinking. This is a life changing decision for Westbrook, so it makes sense that he is taking his time. However, the longer he takes, the more anxious the organization and fans will become.
Losing one superstar was tough enough; losing a second just two offseasons later would be devastating. Technically, it could be three if George opts out and decides to leave — something that would seem likely, especially if Westbrook leaves as well.
Westbrook has until Oct. 16, the day before the NBA regular season begins, to make a decision. ESPN‘s Royce Young says the Thunder’s offer has been on the table for a while, but Westbrook has not committed either direction.
It is an uncomfortable situation for everyone involved with the Thunder, but there is nothing really let for them to do. The $207 million extension is on the table; now it is just up to Westbrook to decide whether or not he wants to sign it and commit long-term to the Thunder.
What Westbrook could be wrestling with is the length of the contract. The designated veteran’s player extension is a five-year deal with only an option on the fifth year. If Westbrook were to wait until the summer of 2018, he could sign a deal that allows him to opt out sooner than that.
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Westbrook will be with the Thunder this season. Young says there are no plans to trade him away if he does not sign the extension. If Westbrook decides to not sign the mega extension, fans and front office personnel will be on pins and needles with every passing day trying to figure out a way to get Westbrook to commit long-term in free agency in 2018.