Thunder And Russell Westbrook Agree to Contract Extension

<p>The Oklahoma City Thunder and point guard Russell Westbrook have agreed to a three-year $85&nbsp;million extension, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.&nbsp;</p>

Thursday, August 4th 2016, 12:10 am

By: Brett Coppenbarger


The Oklahoma City Thunder and point guard Russell Westbrook have agreed in principle to a contract extension, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting the deal is expected to be a three-year $85 million extension. 

With Westbrook staying in OKC, his 2016-17 salary bumps from $17.8 million to the $26.5 million max, while making $28.5 in 2017-18 and $30.6 million in the third year of the renegotiated deal.

Westbrook is expected to have a player option on the final year which would allow the five-time all-star to enter free agency in the summer of 2018, where he'd then qualify for the top tier max since he'd be a 10-year veteran. 

After licking its wounds from the departure of Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors last month, there was speculation the Thunder would be forced to trade Westbrook before he was expected to enter free agency in 2017. Instead of dealing the dynamic playmaker, Thunder GM Sam Presti was able to flip the script and lock down Westbrook, while giving OKC a superstar build around for at least the next two seasons. 

Now there's a clear vision in place, it'll be interesting to see what other moves Presti has up his sleeve to strengthen the roster. 

The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting the deal is expected to be a three-year $85 million extension. 

Sources: Russell Westbrook is flying to Oklahoma City on Thursday morning, planning to sign a three-year, $85M-plus contract renegotiation.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) August 4, 2016

Sources: Thunder will likely hold a news conference on Thursday with Westbrook, owner Clay Bennett, GM Sam Presti and coach Billy Donovan.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) August 4, 2016

Congrats Russ, #Thunder & OKC fans. Great to see a competitor step up w his heart & head. New deal will make sense! @news9

— Dean Blevins (@DeanBlevins) August 4, 2016

With Westbrook staying in OKC, his 2016-17 salary bumps from $17.8 million to the $26.5 million max, while making $28.5 in 2017-18 and $30.6 million in the third year of the renegotiated deal.

Westbrook is expected to have a player option on the final year which would allow the five-time all-star to enter free agency in the summer of 2018, where he'd then qualify for the top tier max since he'd be a 10-year veteran. 

Westbrook's been in Los Angeles, working out with Victor Oladipo this week. Donovan has been in gym too. Early morning flight to OKC.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) August 4, 2016

After licking its wounds from the departure of Kevin Durant to the Golden State Warriors last month, there was speculation the Thunder would be forced to trade Westbrook before he was expected to enter free agency in 2017. Instead of dealing the dynamic playmaker, Thunder GM Sam Presti was able to flip the script and lock down Westbrook, while giving OKC a superstar build around for at least the next two seasons. 

This city & franchise deserve the good news. Now #Thunder moves forward confidently & w a solid plan - & roster & coach. @news9 @okcthunder

— Dean Blevins (@DeanBlevins) August 4, 2016

Now there's a clear vision in place, it'll be interesting to see what other moves Presti has up his sleeve to strengthen the roster. 

","published":"2016-08-04T05:10:50.000Z","updated":"2016-08-04T05:52:39.000Z","summary":"

The Oklahoma City Thunder and point guard Russell Westbrook have agreed to a three-year $85 million extension, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. 

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