Thunder and Westbrook in contract extension talks~

[jpotter33]

It's quite simple really. He stands to make more money now if he can renegotiate his contract, than he would make waiting for next year's free-agency.

It's the same strategy the Celtics were trying to use if we got him here (if we were indeed interested in him).

OKC has cap space to burn, so if Westbrook wants to optimize his money making ability, he'll renegotiate now.

So, yes, that would make sense financially for him to renegotiate his contract to essentially earn the max this coming year at $26.5M. But if he did the rumored three year renegotiation/extension deal, wouldn't that actually cost him money in 2017-2018 by doing that rather than a 1 + 1 next summer?

Essentially, he'd make $8.7M more this year with the renegotiation and extension. However, that'd put him at $28.5M in 2017-2018 rather than $31.2M if he'd do the 1 + 1 next summer, and that's going with the lowball estimation of the cap at $104M. So he'd ultimately gain $6M even by renegotiating and extending the contract rather than doing a 1 + 1 next year, but that comes at the cost of not having the free agency option this summer, too.

So the question is this - is an extra $6M worth losing the free agency option to explore differing teams this summer and commit the next two years to OKC? I don't think it's worth it for Westbrook if he's really wanting to compete now, which OKC just can't do.

[jpotter33]

Looks like it just got done.

https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/761058155111391232

So does an extension put any time limit on trading him like signing a new contract does, like December 15th or January 15th?

EDIT: I still don't necessarily think this means that he plans on staying or they aren't going to end up trading him.  They apparently couldn't get anything near his value due to his contract situation beforehand, so maybe this opens things up now. Or at the very least he's now much more tradable in the middle of the season when they're on the fringe of the playoffs and look to be nothing more than a first round exit.

[saltlover]

It's quite simple really. He stands to make more money now if he can renegotiate his contract, than he would make waiting for next year's free-agency.

It's the same strategy the Celtics were trying to use if we got him here (if we were indeed interested in him).

OKC has cap space to burn, so if Westbrook wants to optimize his money making ability, he'll renegotiate now.

So, yes, that would make sense financially for him to renegotiate his contract to essentially earn the max this coming year at $26.5M. But if he did the rumored three year renegotiation/extension deal, wouldn't that actually cost him money in 2017-2018 by doing that rather than a 1 + 1 next summer?

Essentially, he'd make $8.7M more this year with the renegotiation and extension. However, that'd put him at $28.5M in 2017-2018 rather than $31.2M if he'd do the 1 + 1 next summer, and that's going with the lowball estimation of the cap at $104M. So he'd ultimately gain $6M even by renegotiating and extending the contract rather than doing a 1 + 1 next year, but that comes at the cost of not having the free agency option this summer, too.

So the question is this - is an extra $6M worth losing the free agency option to explore differing teams this summer and commit the next two years to OKC? I don't think it's worth it for Westbrook if he's really wanting to compete now, which OKC just can't do.

I'm fairly sure the current estimate of the max salary for Westbrook next year is $28.9 million, based on a $102 million salary cap.  I don't remember the number off the top of my head, but it was between $28-29 million, per an Eric Pincus tweet last week (he tweets way too much to find it exactly.)  So based on the current salary estimate, he'd come in right around even for next year, while picking up an extra almost $9 million this year.  Furthermore, he gets more money upfront (so add in a little bit extra for the time value of money).

He does forego a year of free agency, for $9 million.  But it also lets him leave without being the bad guy.  He can have given it two years without KD.  I also imagine he'll have a trade bonus in there so that he'll be able to get a little bit extra if OKC trades him next summer to LA.

In other words, I think he's going to have his cake and eat it too.  Extra money this year, no loss of money next year, and able to sign a contract with full Bird rights at 10 years of experience with the team of his choosing, be it OKC or whomever he works a trade to next summer.

[jpotter33]

It's quite simple really. He stands to make more money now if he can renegotiate his contract, than he would make waiting for next year's free-agency.

It's the same strategy the Celtics were trying to use if we got him here (if we were indeed interested in him).

OKC has cap space to burn, so if Westbrook wants to optimize his money making ability, he'll renegotiate now.

So, yes, that would make sense financially for him to renegotiate his contract to essentially earn the max this coming year at $26.5M. But if he did the rumored three year renegotiation/extension deal, wouldn't that actually cost him money in 2017-2018 by doing that rather than a 1 + 1 next summer?

Essentially, he'd make $8.7M more this year with the renegotiation and extension. However, that'd put him at $28.5M in 2017-2018 rather than $31.2M if he'd do the 1 + 1 next summer, and that's going with the lowball estimation of the cap at $104M. So he'd ultimately gain $6M even by renegotiating and extending the contract rather than doing a 1 + 1 next year, but that comes at the cost of not having the free agency option this summer, too.

So the question is this - is an extra $6M worth losing the free agency option to explore differing teams this summer and commit the next two years to OKC? I don't think it's worth it for Westbrook if he's really wanting to compete now, which OKC just can't do.

I'm fairly sure the current estimate of the max salary for Westbrook next year is $28.9 million, based on a $102 million salary cap.  I don't remember the number off the top of my head, but it was between $28-29 million, per an Eric Pincus tweet last week (he tweets way too much to find it exactly.)  So based on the current salary estimate, he'd come in right around even for next year, while picking up an extra almost $9 million this year.  Furthermore, he gets more money upfront (so add in a little bit extra for the time value of money).

He does forego a year of free agency, for $9 million.  But it also lets him leave without being the bad guy.  He can have given it two years without KD.  I also imagine he'll have a trade bonus in there so that he'll be able to get a little bit extra if OKC trades him next summer to LA.

In other words, I think he's going to have his cake and eat it too.  Extra money this year, no loss of money next year, and able to sign a contract with full Bird rights at 10 years of experience with the team of his choosing, be it OKC or whomever he works a trade to next summer.

Perhaps that's true, but to me I just don't see him being fine with leading a fringe playoff team for the next two years that has literally no chance of competing for a title. He has too much passion and fire for winning, and I can't see him being fine with mediocrity, especially after having so much success thus far in his career. Just look at how much not making the playoffs that year affected him, and he's not going to waste what will amount to be two of his best overall prime career years in that type of situation.

Then again, I was adamant that there was no way that KD was going to make the cowardly move to Golden State, and he did. So crazier things have happened. But I'd ultimately put money on Westbrook not making it the next two years in OKC. He'll be traded to a contender of his choice by then.

[LarBrd33]

This team is going to be one of the best in the East next year... and that's about all we can really hope for regardless if we luck into a couple guys like Westbrook and Blake Griffin.   As long as that Golden State giant lumbers over everything, being one of the best in the East is about the best anyone is going to do.

Our big hope right now is that we land some prospects that develop into the superstars of the next generation.   We have those Brooklyn picks.  We should have our eyes set on teams like Minny and Philly... not Golden State.   We'll have a solid team that will be fun to root for, but our direct competition are the teams that have potentially elite prospects that will shine years from now.  The Warriors should own the next 10 years.  We should be eyeing 2026 and beyond. 

[jpotter33]

This team is going to be one of the best in the East next year... and that's about all we can really hope for regardless if we luck into a couple guys like Westbrook and Blake Griffin.   As long as that Golden State giant lumbers over everything, being one of the best in the East is about the best anyone is going to do.

Our big hope right now is that we land some prospects that develop into the superstars of the next generation.   We have those Brooklyn picks.  We should have our eyes set on teams like Minny and Philly... not Golden State.   We'll have a solid team that will be fun to root for, but our direct competition are the teams that have potentially elite prospects that will shine years from now.  The Warriors should own the next 10 years.  We should be eyeing 2026 and beyond.

People say this same thing all the time, and every time they say it they're ultimately proven wrong. In the last six years, this same thing was said multiple times in 2010 (Miami), 2014 (Cleveland), last year (Golden State), and now once again (Golden State), and every single time that team has not won the championship that year. No team is unbeatable. You would think that this would be fresh in everyone's minds after the greatest regular season team of all time literally choked away the championship. They were "unbeatable" just four months ago, and now look at the narrative - the former MVP had to join up with the current two-time MVP on the greatest regular season team of all time because they couldn't get past Lebron.

If you try to build a team upon this type of overreacting philosophy, then you'll always be looking to the future and never accomplish anything in the present.

[SparzWizard]

Woj bomb confirmed:

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/news/sources-russell-westbrook-agrees-to-contract-extension-with-okc-050837786.html

3-year, $85M max contract deal. In other words, KD35 you traitor lol.

[LarBrd33]

This team is going to be one of the best in the East next year... and that's about all we can really hope for regardless if we luck into a couple guys like Westbrook and Blake Griffin.   As long as that Golden State giant lumbers over everything, being one of the best in the East is about the best anyone is going to do.

Our big hope right now is that we land some prospects that develop into the superstars of the next generation.   We have those Brooklyn picks.  We should have our eyes set on teams like Minny and Philly... not Golden State.   We'll have a solid team that will be fun to root for, but our direct competition are the teams that have potentially elite prospects that will shine years from now.  The Warriors should own the next 10 years.  We should be eyeing 2026 and beyond.

People say this same thing all the time, and every time they say it they're ultimately proven wrong.

Gonna have to stop you right there.  There is no precedent for this.  The greatest regular season team of all time (that came a minute away from being back-to-back champions) just added arguably the most gifted offensive player in the world.  They added an MVP-level superstar to a 73 win team.  They have four All-NBA players.  It's ridiculous.  Also, they all compliment each other beautifully.  Three of the greatest shooters in the entire league.  They should win every single game they play. 

The best we can hope for is winning the East and hoping for some major injuries to Golden State.   Adding an overrated player like Westbrook wouldn't get you past that Warriors team.  He's not very efficient and doesn't fit into our offensive style.  I'm very interested to see if he's finally exposed.   Oklahoma might have trouble making the playoffs this year without Durant carrying them.

[dannyboy35]

I'm poor at the contract stuff in the nba. Doesn't this mean now the Thinder can be assured to get stuff back for Westbrook? Does anyone think this makes it MORE likely he's traded now because another team doesn't have to worry about him walking in a year. I would think now the offers start to come in stronger, no? Could there have been a behind the scenes promise to Westbrook that they'd attempt to deal him if he signed? I'm not up in all the rules. Thanks in advance.

[dannyboy35]

I'm not even thinking celtics. We know Westbrook is most successful as an iso player and I'm not sure Stevens would agree to coach other than his own way. I do think coaches should be able to adapt to the talent they have but I'm not sure Stevens would play ball so I don't see Westbrook coming unless Stevens goes and I don't think that's happening.

[Vermont Green]

So they reset with Westbrook locked in for 2 seasons with season 3 a player option.  That is a very player friendly contract.  I actually don't think this means OKC will be looking to trade him this season.  Maybe next off season if things are really bad.  Westbrook can always say to a team he likes that he will pick up the option.  That is much easier than having to work out a whole extension as part of a trade.

This gives OKC and Westbrook a chance to try it for a season with Westbrook as the man.  Puts OKC in a much better position to trade after the season.  And gives Westbrook some influence over the possible trade with the option year in the contract.  Pretty good all around I would say.

[PAOBoston]

I hope Westbrook leads the Thunder to the playoffs as the 8th seed and knocks out GS in the first round. That would be pure comedy.

[moiso]

This team is going to be one of the best in the East next year... and that's about all we can really hope for regardless if we luck into a couple guys like Westbrook and Blake Griffin.   As long as that Golden State giant lumbers over everything, being one of the best in the East is about the best anyone is going to do.

Our big hope right now is that we land some prospects that develop into the superstars of the next generation.   We have those Brooklyn picks.  We should have our eyes set on teams like Minny and Philly... not Golden State.   We'll have a solid team that will be fun to root for, but our direct competition are the teams that have potentially elite prospects that will shine years from now.  The Warriors should own the next 10 years.  We should be eyeing 2026 and beyond.

People say this same thing all the time, and every time they say it they're ultimately proven wrong. In the last six years, this same thing was said multiple times in 2010 (Miami), 2014 (Cleveland), last year (Golden State), and now once again (Golden State), and every single time that team has not won the championship that year. No team is unbeatable. You would think that this would be fresh in everyone's minds after the greatest regular season team of all time literally choked away the championship. They were "unbeatable" just four months ago, and now look at the narrative - the former MVP had to join up with the current two-time MVP on the greatest regular season team of all time because they couldn't get past Lebron.

If you try to build a team upon this type of overreacting philosophy, then you'll always be looking to the future and never accomplish anything in the present.

So true.  Anyone who thinks they can accurately predict several seasons into the future is full of poop.  It can't be done.  Anything can happen in any given year with injuries or whatever special events that may transpire.  Predicting that a team will own the league for 10 years when all the key players currently on the team will be in their mid to late 30's is nuts.  But hey, we got to hear about Philly again.

[boscel33]

Big sigh of relief.  I really though Danny would sell the farm to get him and I didn't want him.  I think we're second best in the East right now with room for another MAX next year and what could be the top overall pick.  I like where we're going, patience is what is needed......

[Moranis]

OKC was a 45 win team a few years back.  With Westbrook and not Durant they were on pace for something like 47 wins.  That team is not as good as the current one so I'd expect OKC to win in the mid to upper 40's (expecting some injuries and figuring it out factors), which would likely put them as the 4 seed in the West next year.