Oklahoma City Thunder Commit To Vision With Recent Moves

Sep 23, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Victor Oladipo (5), Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) pose for portraits during Oklahoma City Thunder media day at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 30, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) dunks the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Quick Recap

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed Russell Westbrook, Victor Oladipo, Enes Kanter, and Steven Adams to long-term deals. That’s three starters and a sixth man, Kanter, who could easily start if the system permitted it.

The Thunder will have at least two seasons to see if that group, as well as Jerami Grant, Cameron Payne, and Andre Roberson, can truly contend.

Westbrook has $30,521,115 player option for the 2018-19 season, but he’s likely to decline it and become a free agent. Kanter has an $18,622,513 player option for the 2018-19 season, but he could follow the same path.

Adams signed a four-year deal worth $100 million and Victor Oladipo signed a four-year deal worth $84 million, meaning both will be under contract through 2021.

Grant and Roberson will become restricted free agents in 2017, but Payne has club options for 2017-18 and 2018-19 that will likely keep him in Oklahoma City.

In turn, the Thunder have essentially locked up the first seven players in their rotation for at least two more seasons. That should give Billy Donovan a fair opportunity to build an identity and appeal to Westbrook.

Whether or not it works is another topic entirely, but it’s clear that the Thunder have committed to a long-term vision.

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