When Kevin Durant chose to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder and join the Golden State Warriors, many experts around the league expected Russell Westbrook to be the next guy heading out of OKC. That is not the case as of Wednesday night, as the Thunder agreed in principle to a three-year deal, worth $85.7 million.
Westbrook will sign the contract on Thursday before his press conference in Oklahoma City. His current deal went through the 2016-17 season, so this adds two more guaranteed years for the point guard in OKC. He has already spent his first eight seasons with the organization. His salary for this upcoming season is expected to jump to the maximum of $26.5 million. This deal does include a player option entering the third year.
When that player option is up, Westbrook would have 10 years of service time in the league. That means that he could opt out of the deal to earn a contract worth over $200 million, which could lead to the largest deal in league history.
The five-time All-Star had a stellar season with Durant on and off the court, leading the league with 18 triple-doubles. His best month was in March, where he recorded six triple-doubles. He would go on to finish fourth in MVP voting after averaging 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 10.4 assists.
The two-time All-Star game MVP proved that he could lead the team without Durant in the lineup. With the other star out, Westbrook recorded 10 40-point games as the key component of the Thunder's offense on the floor. This could mean great things are coming for the team, even without Durant, as they expect Westbrook to step up his game as the solo star.
Westbrook will sign the contract on Thursday before his press conference in Oklahoma City. His current deal went through the 2016-17 season, so this adds two more guaranteed years for the point guard in OKC. He has already spent his first eight seasons with the organization. His salary for this upcoming season is expected to jump to the maximum of $26.5 million. This deal does include a player option entering the third year.
When that player option is up, Westbrook would have 10 years of service time in the league. That means that he could opt out of the deal to earn a contract worth over $200 million, which could lead to the largest deal in league history.
The five-time All-Star had a stellar season with Durant on and off the court, leading the league with 18 triple-doubles. His best month was in March, where he recorded six triple-doubles. He would go on to finish fourth in MVP voting after averaging 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 10.4 assists.
The two-time All-Star game MVP proved that he could lead the team without Durant in the lineup. With the other star out, Westbrook recorded 10 40-point games as the key component of the Thunder's offense on the floor. This could mean great things are coming for the team, even without Durant, as they expect Westbrook to step up his game as the solo star.
