With an NBA MVP Award won this past season and two new All-Star teammates for the coming season, Russell Westbrook seems to be on the rise. On Friday, the Oklahoma City Thunder's top player signed his official deal to remain a part of the team for the next five years. The deal is said to be worth $205 million for the All-Star guard and MVP. Here are the latest details on Westbrook's major deal and the NBA season ahead.
Westbrook's big deal
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, league sources told ESPN that Russell Westbrook has signed for the Designated Player Veteran Extension with the Thunder.
His $205 million five-year contract extension begins in the 2018-19 NBA season and runs through the 2022-23 NBA season. It also gives Westbrook the "biggest guaranteed contract in NBA history."
Breaking: Russell Westbrook agrees to 5-year, $205 million extension with Thunder. (via @wojespn) pic.twitter.com/ousdfDT2nb
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 29, 2017
It was said that the deal was made official on Friday between Oklahoma City's general manager Sam Presti and Westbrook's agent, Thad Foucher of the Wasserman Media Group. A statement confirming the multiyear extension was also given Friday in a news release by the Thunder. The NBA All-Star guard said in the statement that he feels "so honored" to stay a part of the Thunder organization.
For weeks and months, speculation had been building over whether the OKC star was going to re-sign or simply wait until the end of the season to decide his future with another team. However, it looks for the time being as if his next five years are with the Thunder.
Looking to the future
While many players have jumped to teams in search of championships, it appears that is not the case with Russell Westbrook.
In addition, it's apparent the Oklahoma City Thunder's front office wants to make a major commitment to Westbrook as their main star heading forward. After losing Kevin Durant to free agency last year with nothing in exchange, it is obvious that Sam Presti and company don't want to make a similar mistake with Westbrook.
Russell Westbrook isn't going anywhere. Enjoy this, OKC. #Thunder pic.twitter.com/5ZRutOJD61
— Up The Thunder (@UpTheThunder) September 29, 2017
The OKC Thunder made sure to bring in two fellow All-Star players to give Westbrook some help for the coming season.
In one trade during the offseason, they swung a deal with the Indiana Pacers to acquire Paul George. However, the team didn't stop there as they picked up Carmelo Anthony just weeks ago in a trade from the New York Knicks.
While some have criticized the moves, the moves certainly show the organization's willingness to surround Westbrook with star power and help in competing with the upper echelon teams in the league. It will remain to be seen if Oklahoma City has enough to contend with the likes of the Golden State Warriors, but they certainly seem to be making some of the biggest offseason moves to try to do just that.