djohn2oo8
07-04-2016, 04:17 PM
ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/16765088/oklahoma-city-thunder-mull-options-russell-westbrook) reported the Thunder are hoping to engage Westbrook in talks to "renegotiate and extend" his contract. That would allow Oklahoma City to add more money to his existing contract—up to $8 million for this season—while ensuring he will not leave next summer.
If Westbrook is unwilling to renegotiate, the Thunder may listen to trade offers for the five-time All-Star.
From a practical standpoint, Westbrook is under no incentive to sign an extension. The Thunder cannot offer an extension of more than three years under the league's collective bargaining agreement. If he waited a year and wanted to stay in Oklahoma City, the Thunder could offer a five-year maximum contract.
What's more, Westbrook would be reducing his financial windfall by negotiating under the 2016-17 cap. The NBA's salary cap, set for $94.143 million (http://www.nba.com/2016/news/07/02/nba-salary-cap-set/) for next season, is projected to be $107 million (http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2016/04/15/nba-salary-cap-higher-than-projections/83095482/) in 2017-18. A four-year max for Westbrook this summer would be $113.3 million, whereas it should well exceed $120 million next summer.
Put simply, it would make zero financial sense for Westbrook to re-up now.
Nor would it make much basketball sense. Westbrook should and likely will be prudent with his decision-making after watching Durant and Serge Ibaka exit this summer. He's the only remaining player left from the four-man core (Westbrook, Durant, Ibaka and James Harden) that seemed destined to rule the NBA back in 2012.
Since, a combination of financial conservatism and better opportunities has plucked them away one by one. Westbrook is now surrounded by a neophyte roster where he's the only foundational piece above the age of 25. Next summer, teams will race to him by the dozen offering a chance to either (a) be the star of his own show in a big market or (b) immediately compete for a championship.
In the wake of Durant's departure, he has neither in Oklahoma City. It's unfortunate for the fans, but the best option may be to be proactive and move Westbrook now before losing him for nothing.
If Westbrook is unwilling to renegotiate, the Thunder may listen to trade offers for the five-time All-Star.
From a practical standpoint, Westbrook is under no incentive to sign an extension. The Thunder cannot offer an extension of more than three years under the league's collective bargaining agreement. If he waited a year and wanted to stay in Oklahoma City, the Thunder could offer a five-year maximum contract.
What's more, Westbrook would be reducing his financial windfall by negotiating under the 2016-17 cap. The NBA's salary cap, set for $94.143 million (http://www.nba.com/2016/news/07/02/nba-salary-cap-set/) for next season, is projected to be $107 million (http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2016/04/15/nba-salary-cap-higher-than-projections/83095482/) in 2017-18. A four-year max for Westbrook this summer would be $113.3 million, whereas it should well exceed $120 million next summer.
Put simply, it would make zero financial sense for Westbrook to re-up now.
Nor would it make much basketball sense. Westbrook should and likely will be prudent with his decision-making after watching Durant and Serge Ibaka exit this summer. He's the only remaining player left from the four-man core (Westbrook, Durant, Ibaka and James Harden) that seemed destined to rule the NBA back in 2012.
Since, a combination of financial conservatism and better opportunities has plucked them away one by one. Westbrook is now surrounded by a neophyte roster where he's the only foundational piece above the age of 25. Next summer, teams will race to him by the dozen offering a chance to either (a) be the star of his own show in a big market or (b) immediately compete for a championship.
In the wake of Durant's departure, he has neither in Oklahoma City. It's unfortunate for the fans, but the best option may be to be proactive and move Westbrook now before losing him for nothing.