All-Star point guard and reigning MVP Russell Westbrook’s future with the Oklahoma City Thunder is up in the air as he has yet to decide whether to sign or not the five-year, $207 million extension that the team offered. According to Royce Young of ESPN, the Thunder already extended the offer to Westbrook but the point guard has yet to deliver an official answer, adding that nothing has tangibly changed. Young explained that if Westbrook signs the deal now will give him more long-term security.
If he decides to sign it next summer, he will gain more flexibility.
However, it will not make a difference in terms of salary whether Westbrook signs now or next season. If Westbrook signs now, the designated player extension will keep him in Oklahoma City for at least four years with a player option in the fifth year. If he agrees to a deal next summer, then he can opt out in his own terms. Last season, Westbrook won the MVP trophy after becoming the second player in the league to average in triple-double in the regular season.
Westbrook might leave Oklahoma City
Thunder fans are worried that Westbrook might leave town like what Kevin Durant did last summer when he joined the Golden State Warriors as a free agent. After Durant left Oklahoma City, Westbrook solidified his intention to stay by signing a three-year contract extension worth $86 million but he can opt out after the coming season and become an unrestricted free agent.
He will earn $28.5 million next season and $30.5 million in 2018. The Thunder have until October 16 to sign Westbrook to a designated veteran extension. If not, the Thunder could lose Westbrook and Paul George to free agency. Despite having just one year left on his contract, the Thunder traded Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis to the Indiana Pacers for George.
Westbrook, George to the Lakers?
According to Matt Burke of Metro.us, there is a possibility that Westbrook and George might join the Los Angeles Lakers and form a super team with LeBron James, who’s also rumored to be leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018.However, Burke said the three superstars must take a significant pay cut for the super team to happen.
However, many stars now prefer to win a championship than a huge salary. Recently, Durant accepted a $9 million pay cut to keep the Warriors’ core intact. With Durant’s sacrifice, the Warriors signed Stephen Curry to a maximum five-year deal worth $201 million and kept key contributors Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston, David West and JaVale McGee.
Recently, Durant accepted a $9 million pay cut to keep the Warriors’ core intact. With Durant’s sacrifice, the Warriors signed Stephen Curry to a maximum five-year deal worth $201 million and kept key contributors Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston, David West and JaVale McGee.
