After signing Russell Westbrook to a massive five-year contract extension worth $205 million, the Oklahoma City Thunder are willing to shell out even more money to keep their other superstars, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, the Thunder are open to paying the luxury tax, which will be pegged at around $125 million for the 2018-19 season. The salary cap for that season is projected at $101 million. If George and Anthony opt into the final year of their respective deals, the Thunder will have $138 million in guaranteed deals for next season.
George has a $20.7 million player option in his contract while Anthony will earn $27.9 million if he exercises his option for 2018.
Marks said the Thunder are willing to break the bank and pay the massive luxury tax just to keep Anthony and George playing alongside Westbrook. The Thunder traded Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis to the Thunder for George. Oklahoma City also shipped backup center Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott and a 2018 second-round pick to New York for Anthony, a 10-time All-Star in his stints with the Denver Nuggets and the Knicks. After weeks of waiting, the Thunder finally got what they wanted as Westbrook signed the rich contract extension. Together with his $28 million salary for the 2017-18 season, Westbrook is set to earn a guaranteed $233 million in the next six years, the biggest guaranteed contract in the NBA.
Westbrook deal could impact George’s decision
According to Royce Young of ESPN, George said that Westbrook’s new deal will impact his future decision, on whether to sign a long-term deal with the Thunder or leave for another squad. “I think when that time comes, the decision will be easier to make,” said George, who is rumored to be joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.
George said Westbrook’s signing indicated a lot about his commitment to the organization and reflected his values and beliefs as a person.
Thunder expected to go deep into playoffs
George hopes that playing alongside Westbrook and Anthony will bring the Thunder deep into the playoffs and compete with Western Conference powerhouses, especially the Golden State Warriors.
George told USA Today Sports that the addition of Anthony gave the Thunder the feel of a championship squad. George said Anthony’s entry will give them a shot at dethroning the Warriors in the West. George and Anthony joined forces in convincing Anthony to include the Thunder on his preferred list of trade destinations.
