Thunder’s Westbrook signs $205-M deal

MANILA, Philippines – Reigning NBA MVP Russell Westbrook hit the jackpot for the second time in less than 18 months by signing a 5-year, $205 million contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The deal begins with the 2018-19 season, and puts the 28-year-old Westbrook under contract with the Thunder through the 2022-23 NBA season.

The deal, which was finalized on Friday afternoon, September 29 (Saturday in Manila), would be the largest guaranteed contract in league history－with Stephen Curry’s 5-year, $201 million extension with the Golden State Warriors coming in second.

In a news release confirming the development, Thunder general manager Sam Presti expressed gratitude and shared how Westbrook helped propel the organization since it was started in 2008.

Sam Presti: pic.twitter.com/TpUsSjJmSm

— Royce Young (@royceyoung) September 29, 2017

“Russell’s commitment to the Thunder organization since its inception in 2008 has helped propel us to great heights and stare down great challenges over our first decade,” Presti said in the release, via ESPN’s Royce Young.

“We are extremely fortunate to have an athlete, competitor and person such as Russell wear the Thunder uniform. To have him cement his legacy as a leader as we enter into our 10th season in Oklahoma City is extraordinary.”

In a statement of his own, the All-Star guard said that there was no place he’d rather be than Oklahoma City.

And Westbrook’s statement: pic.twitter.com/VxKpsFouY0

— Royce Young (@royceyoung) September 29, 2017

“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, there is no place I would rather be than Oklahoma City,” penned Westbrook. “I am so honored to have the opportunity to continue my career here with the Thunder.”

WHY NOT??

A post shared by Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) on Sep 29, 2017 at 12:16pm PDT

“When you play in Oklahoma City, you play in front of the best fans in the world. I’m looking forward to bringing everything I’ve got, for them, this city, and for this organization. WHY NOT?”

The 28-year-old Westbrook is coming off a historic season in which he averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists and set an NBA record with 42 triple-doubles.

He broke the mark of Oscar Robertson (1962) and joined the Hall of Famer as the only players to average a triple-double over an entire season.

The 6-time all-star won his second scoring crown and scored 40 or more points on 18 occasions. – Rappler.com