*Russell Westbrook will become a free agent next year, and the Oklahoma City Thunder is hoping he will sign a contract extension, but TNT’s David Aldridge reports there’s “no chance” that’s going to happen because “It just makes no sense financially” for Westbrook to renegotiate or extend his contract.
By choosing to become a free agent in the summer of 2017, Westbrook can take advantage of the NBA’s salary cap increase and sign a contract worth more than he would be able to this summer. The salary cap is expected to go up next year with some projections at $108 million.
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According to a league executive who talked to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, Westbrook’s mind is already made up — and was even before Oklahoma City’s superstar Kevin Durant left for the Bay Area.
“[Westbrook] gone after this year,” said one league executive. “A hundred percent. I think that’s the case no matter what (Durant had decided). I guess people can always change their mind, but I think this season was going to be it for him there no matter what.”
Westbrook, 27, has spent his entire eight-year NBA career with the Thunder. He is a five-time All-Star and averaged 23.5 points, 10.4 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game last season, per SI.com. The upcoming season will be Westbrook’s first without Durant.
Yahoo reports that Russell was supposedly put off by Durant’s relationship with Draymond Green. The bleacherreport.com notes how for the last eight seasons, Durant’s “fate has been intertwined with that of Westbrook’s. Their partnership produced four conference finals appearances, and one trip to the NBA Finals.”
Multiple sources told ESPN, if Westbrook chooses not to extend his contract, OKC will consider trading the star point guard in an effort to recoup some assets before he walks away.
SI.com reports that plenty of teams are vying for Russell, including the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics.
