Oklahoma City Thunder fans have been on an emotional roller coaster all Summer Sixteen but things just got a lot smoother for Thunder Nation. Once former OKC Thunder MVP Kevin Durant departed from the Thunder and signed with the Golden State Warriors, Thunder fans were believing they may also lost these ruthless star Russell Westbrook as well.
That’s not the case at all Thunder fans, Russell Westbrook is here to stay for the next 4 years, The Thunder and Russell Westbrook have agreed to a three year $85 million dollar extension.
Happy Russell Westbrook Day #TheRoarContinues pic.twitter.com/vXWr0LQHug
— Mick Cornett (@MickCornett) August 4, 2016
According to ESPN,
The team did not disclose terms of the deal, but sources told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Chris Broussard that the new contract is potentially worth $85.7 million over the next three seasons. The deal includes a player option that would allow Westbrook to still become a free agent after the 2017-18 season.
The new deal calls for Westbrook’s salary to jump from $17.8 million next season to the maximum $26.5 million. He would then earn the max the next two seasons if he exercises the third-year option.
The player option for the third season of the deal will allow Westbrook to capitalize on the league rule allowing players who have completed 10 seasons to earn a larger max salary.
Not only is Westrbrook staying in OKC, his new deal makes him the third highest paid player in the NBA behind Mike Conley (Grizzles) and James Harden (Rockets). Oklahoma City Mayor was so happy on the announcement, he declares August 4th “Russell Westbrook Day”. Without Kevin Durant in the lineup for the OKC Thunder (61 games), Westbrook posted 12 triple doubles and averaged 28 points, 8 assist and 7 rebounds. Safe to say Westbrook will be a 2016-17 NBA MVP candidate this season.
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