Russell Westbrook: From team problem to team solution

The Oklahoma City Thunder have extended Russell Westbrook using the designated player extension. This is big news for a team that could lose two other pieces of the Big Three next year.

The Oklahoma City Thunder announced that Russell Westbrook signed his designated player extension Friday. With $205 million coming his way, the six years and $233 million on his deal makes it the largest contract in NBA history.

This comes after Westbrook signed a 10-year contract extension with Jordan Brand, making him the face of Jordan. After this big signing, did the Thunder do enough to entice Paul George and Carmelo Anthony to stay in OKC? That is yet to be seen.

This past year has been magical for Westbrook. If you told any player in the NBA that they would lead their team to the playoffs, average a triple-double and win MVP they would tell you that they had a good individual year. Not only did he have to deal with Kevin Durant‘s departure to the Golden State Warriors and the questions about how he felt about Durant leaving, he had to deal with being the unquestioned leader of the team.

Westbrook handled that perfectly when he pulled off the aforementioned trifecta of leading his team to the playoffs, averaging a triple-double and winning MVP). The reward was a five-year, $205 million extension. Westbrook went from being the player that was known to steal the spotlight to the person in the spotlight.

Some of the media is still not aware Westbrook has been an icon for a while now. On Media Day, Westbrook took exception to a question that stated he was a fashion icon for the past month after releasing a book that displayed his talents in fashion. He said, “This past month?” His play on the court has translated to different avenues off the court.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZeWAbsFI2t/?taken-by=slamonline

Even though the Durant fiasco is now two years old, Westbrook still hasn’t wavered on chances to show that he is still thinking about the betrayal. The day he signed his extension just so happened to be on Durant’s birthday. Why not sign the largest contract in NBA history on your enemy’s birthday?

On Media Day Westbrook made it known that he wanted to be in OKC. According to NBA.com’s Nick Gallo, he said:

"“This is a place I want to be. I love being here.”“I love the people here. I like where I’m at. I like where our team is.”"

Now if George and Anthony follow suit, then the Thunder will have a something on their hands. George has a player option in his contract and Anthony has an early termination option in his contract, so Westbrook could possibly have to be by himself in 2018 again and he will have an opportunity to have a season just like last year.

As of right now though, this signing is a positive step in the right direction and the Thunder will hopefully be able to work their offseason magic next season just like this one.

Next: Top 10 candidates for 2017-18 Most Improved Player of the Year

As for Westbrook, he has gone from stealing the shots from a superstar to being the big shot superstar.