The Oklahoma City Thunder have expressed their desire to lock-in Russell Westbrook. Westbrook could be given a five-year deal worth $217 million by Oklahoma this summer, under the NBA's new collective bargain agreement. The 28-year-old is currently on a three-year deal worth $85 million, which he did sign last summer with the Thunder. The two sides will be eligible to have talks on July 1st, when NBA free agency officially kicks off. Thunder general manager Sam Presti said that they will discuss it when the time comes. Westbrook is coming off of a huge season, where he averaged a triple-double on the year.
''And you know, we're obviously hopeful that he remains really excited about being a part of this organization for the remainder of his career,'' Presti added, as revealed by ESPN's Royce Young.
Not there yet
The third year of Russell Westbrook's current contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder is a player option. Should superstar guard Westbrook remain in this contract and decide to test the market, he would become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2018. On the other side, if he signs an extension this summer, he'll be locked in for the foreseeable future.
When asked about the possibility of trading Westbrook if he doesn't sign an extension, Presti said, ''let's not think far ahead.''
Kevin Durant left the Thunder a year ago.
It would be devasting for the team to lose Westbrook the same way, should the guard decide to test the market. Trading Westbrook should be considered at some point if the two sides can't reach an agreement this summer.
Los Angeles Clippers not giving up yet on their star
The Clippers and Blake Griffin ''hope to work out a maximum'' deal, according to NBA sources, writes Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times.
Power forward Griffin could opt out of the final year of his contract with the Clippers to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The 28-year-old must inform the team of his decision by June 28. The Clippers could give Griffin a five-year deal worth $175 million. The best any other team can offer is a four-year deal worth $130 million.
Griffin has spent his entire career in Los Angeles since being drafted first overall by the Clippers in 2009. He averaged 21.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game during this year's regular season. His season came to an end after Game 3 of the Clippers' first-round series against the Utah Jazz following a toe injury.
