Thunder Exercises Options on Six Players

Oklahoma City chose to pick up team options, securing six of its players for an extra season.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:00 pm

By: News On 6

Thunder Exercises Options on Six Players

Originally Published: Oct 25, 2010 5:34 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma City Thunder has exercised third-year options on guards James Harden and Eric Maynor and big men Serge Ibaka and Byron Mullens.

It also exercised fourth-year options on guard Russell Westbrook and forward D.J. White.

Players drafted in the first round of the NBA draft are guaranteed two years with their team after signing a contract. After that, the team has a season-by-season option for the next two years.

If players are not playing up to standards or the team no longer requires that player's services, the team can decline the option and allow the player to become a free agent.

The 2009-10 Thunder squad was the youngest team to ever make it to the playoffs, with an average age of 23.19 years.

Oklahoma City opens play this year on Oct. 27 against the Chicago Bulls at The Oklahoma City Arena.