Russell Westbrook appears to be committing himself to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the foreseeable future.
Westbrook has agreed to a five-year, $205 million contract extension with the Thunder, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first reported on Friday.
Adrian Wojnarowski ✔ @wojespn
Russell Westbrook has agreed to a five-year, $205M contract extension with OKC, league sources tell ESPN.
<time class="dt-updated" datetime="2017-09-29T19:15:09+0000" pubdate="" title="Time posted: September 29, 2017 19:15:09 (UTC)">3:15 PM - Sep 29, 2017</time>
Westbrook is under contract for $28.5 million this season and then had a player option for next season, which he could have declined in order to become a free agent. The five-year extension will be tacked onto his current deal, ensuring he makes $233 million over the next six seasons, including the upcoming season.
There were lingering questions about whether Westbrook would commit to the Thunder long term after Kevin Durant left for the Golden State Warriors. Westbrook stepped up without Durant last season, becoming the league MVP while helping the Thunder to a 47-35 record, giving them the sixth spot in the Western Conference.
Since the end of the season, the Thunder have pulled off trades for Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, which should have them in an even better position to contend next season. Perhaps those deals gave the Brodie the confidence to commit to OKC long term.
Westbrook has agreed to a five-year, $205 million contract extension with the Thunder, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first reported on Friday.
Adrian Wojnarowski ✔ @wojespn
Russell Westbrook has agreed to a five-year, $205M contract extension with OKC, league sources tell ESPN.
<time class="dt-updated" datetime="2017-09-29T19:15:09+0000" pubdate="" title="Time posted: September 29, 2017 19:15:09 (UTC)">3:15 PM - Sep 29, 2017</time>
Westbrook is under contract for $28.5 million this season and then had a player option for next season, which he could have declined in order to become a free agent. The five-year extension will be tacked onto his current deal, ensuring he makes $233 million over the next six seasons, including the upcoming season.
There were lingering questions about whether Westbrook would commit to the Thunder long term after Kevin Durant left for the Golden State Warriors. Westbrook stepped up without Durant last season, becoming the league MVP while helping the Thunder to a 47-35 record, giving them the sixth spot in the Western Conference.
Since the end of the season, the Thunder have pulled off trades for Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, which should have them in an even better position to contend next season. Perhaps those deals gave the Brodie the confidence to commit to OKC long term.