Report: Russell Westbrook’s extension could be finalized within 48 hours, but Thunder haven’t set deadline
Russell Westbrook is reportedly in “serious talks” with the Thunder on a renegotiation-and-extension.
A resolution could come soon.
Chris Broussard and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN:
All-Star guard Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder are in serious negotiations on a three-year max extension worth more than $85 million, which could be finalized within the next 48 hours, league sources told ESPN.
The source added that Oklahoma City is not giving Westbrook a hard deadline by which he must agree to the extension.
If a deal is expected within a couple days, of course the Thunder aren’t imposing a deadline. There’s no better use for their $8,770,726 in cap space than renegotiating-and-extending Westbrook’s deal. They’d gain team control over a superstar player, position themselves to attract outside help and, if it comes to it, improve value of a trade chip. Westbrook could probably take a week or two.
But, at some point, Oklahoma City will want to know where it stands. If Westbrook rejects a raise of nearly $9 million just to hit free agency a year sooner, that would say something. It wouldn’t mean Westbrook would absolutely leave the Thunder next summer, but it’d at least be an indicator and should make them think harder about trading him.
We’re a long way from that, though. Right now, an extension looks probable.
Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 701 Location: Hollywood, Ca.
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2016 10:20 am Post subject:
Does not really make sense for him signing now...he can opt out and receive way more money....Potential trade scenario? _________________ "Changes aren't permanent, but change is." - Rush, Tom Sawyer
Does not really make sense for him signing now...he can opt out and receive way more money....Potential trade scenario?
Because of a CBA technicality, the deal allows the Thunder to give him a $10 million raise this year, so he'll come out ahead. He can also become a free agent after next year, and be eligible for 35% of the cap, rather than the 30% he'd be next year.
So this does give OKC some more leverage in trading him? If he's locked into a 3-year deal, possible suitors don't have as much risk of losing him to FA; or at least until 2018?
Now on one side, I was never an advocate for Westbrook. I think we're better off developing our youth. But this thing annoyed me a little bit because most Laker fans that I knew of weren't really crying for Westbrook.
Now on one side, I was never an advocate for Westbrook. I think we're better off developing our youth. But this thing annoyed me a little bit because most Laker fans that I knew of weren't really crying for Westbrook.
Hope Kanter enjoys perennial first round exits for the next three years. _________________ Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:
So this does give OKC some more leverage in trading him? If he's locked into a 3-year deal, possible suitors don't have as much risk of losing him to FA; or at least until 2018?
If thats what they want to do, yes, since he won't be a 1 year rental. I don't think that's what they want to do though. They probably aren't ready to call it quits and go back to rebuilding now that Durant left. The previous season Durant only played 27 games and they were probably thinking about possible plans with just Westbrook if Durant couldn't recover. I think they will stick with him until he opts out in 2 years. And we would have to give up too much to get him now I would think, so on to the next one.
LOL at Kanter´s trolling, not only the Lakers´s fans were dreaming about Westbrook though.
He´s gonna have a very good year, now that Ibaka is gone i can see him starting and putting up some good numbers, although his defense will remain in Turkey.
But...wouldn´t be so ironic if somehow he ends up on the Lakers in the near future.
That is ok Kanter. I am sure most Lakers fan didn't want Wesbrick! Have fun losing in the first round of the playoffs!
I ain't gonna bother, but a dude whose name sounds like anus cancer shouldn't troll.
I think 2017 is the first year since 2011 where at least we have some dignity as fans, no offense to Kobe for the Brown/Dan Tony/By Scott years.
If you think about it, which would you have taken if you had to choose one or the other: Luke Walton replacing Byron Scott or getting Westbrook and keeping Byron Scott? I'm sure that poll would skew heavily towards Luke as great a player as Westbrook is. It has been DETH for 5 years with 3 terrible coaches and rosters. I think getting the coaching situation solved was as difficult if not MORE difficult than getting Westbrook, I think our success on that front is being undersold, and I'm not trying to cheapen our need for a superstar either. I've said before that the Lakers as a team are just going have to stand and deliver (ganas) and show they're worthy of a star name signing in LA. I doubt most of us as fans can blame these players from being gunshy regarding the Lakers.
On that hope, maybe Russell pans out next year, maybe Ingram/Zubac, maybe Nance. We have a roster that's young and may not make the playoffs, but next year should at least give us hope that we're finally on a positive and FUNCTIONAL track towards future success. Kinda like a lesser version of the 1995 renaissance season post-Showtime. We had some rough seasons before turning that corner into a young and athletic team. I don't think we'll do 48 wins like we did in 95 by any means, but I finally feel POSITIVE about being pointed in that direction. (And dump Swaggy ASAP).
Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 48455 Location: LA to the Bay
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2016 6:44 pm Post subject:
Interesting. Westbrook's telling of how he heard about KD's "Decision" does not jibe with the story Durant has been telling (I always heard how he and Russ talked, and Russ understood, etc etc)
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