Oklahoma City Thunder: 5 keys to contending in 2017-18
2. Get Westbrook, George to sign extensions this year
Paul George has said that he wants to play in L.A. but now he is with the Oklahoma City Thunder. I’m pretty sure the Thunder don’t want this excitement that they have generated to end or create distractions in 2017-18, so getting Paul George to play for them past this year helps the team to focus on this year.
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Westbrook may not be in a Thunder uniform beyond this season as well, since he has not signed his Designated Player Extension. Westbrook would be making more money than he could get on the market if he signed it, and the fact that he hasn’t signed yet is something that should raise eyebrows.
If the money is not what will entice Westbrook to stay, then maybe he wants out. Westbrook is just like George because he is from California. He may be looking for a move to L.A. just like PG-13 is. The Thunder cannot lose both players.
As the season goes and the team is as good as expected, then the front office will have to make sure these two players are signed past this season. It is a key to them contending, because if the team does not know if two of its star players are going to stay, it could cause some chemistry problems and off-court distractions.
Anthony is signed until 2019, but he has an early termination option on his contract for this summer too. As we have seen this offseason, anything can happen in the summer and it looks like the summer of 2018 will be one to watch also.