OKC Thunder 2016 off-season news

[bradh]

Ha ha, you're going to include Reggie Jackson in that list? We didn't want him anyway, cancer

[Pete]

Russ just posted this to his Twitter feed... Very, very cool he's coming back and now we can get on with the business of rebuilding this team around him.

[Anonymous.]

Press conference today around 4pm west side of the 'Peake.

[dcsooner]

Then how about you make valuable contributions to the discussion without being a condescending jerk to people who live here? Then, we'd be happy to have you. You seem to think you can make a temporary effort of half-heartedly praising the city here and there when you're called out on your consistently negative, disdainful attitude, but then you revert right back to being a jerk with nothing worthwhile to say.

I take umbrage with your comments. I am a truth person, many on this board want to camoflague the truth (not to mention free speech and the freedom of dissent) you know 1st amendment kind of stuff. No one has ever denied the progress being made in OKC or the Thunder but I do know Oklahoma and there is much work to do in terms of making the CITY a place where young, rich,, urban Blacks want to stay.. Walking around in denial of that fact does nothing to bring to the attention of change makers the need to make change. King 183 states I ignore the facts but no one has disputed MY facts, I SAID OKC has failed to SIGN ANY All Star or near ALL Star players TO COME TO OKC from another FRANCHISE WHEN OTHER TEAMS ARE ALSO RECRUITING THEM (EVEN WHEN THE TEAM HAD TWO OF THE FIVE BEST PLAYERS IN THE LEAGUE) WHAT PART OF THAT STATEMENT IS NOT FACTUAL? OKC is not the ONLY NBA City/Team that has trouble retaining and/or signing high profile free agents ( Portland, N.O., Memphis, Sacramento, Denver, Charlotte to name a few)

[dcsooner]

Ha ha, you're going to include Reggie Jackson in that list? We didn't want him anyway, cancer

Doesn't appear to be a cancer in Detroit. Could it have been, he just did not want to play here or play second team?

[Bellaboo]

Doesn't appear to be a cancer in Detroit. Could it have been, he just did not want to play here or play second team?

He wanted to start, and that wouldn't happen with RW on the court.

[Bellaboo]

Press conference today around 4pm west side of the 'Peake.

Official announcement says 4:30

[Laramie]

What a relief to have Russell Westbrook as the Thunder's leader for the next few seasons.

[TU 'cane]

Official announcement says 4:30

Personally, it'd be nice if this time was also going to be used for the organization to announce new uniforms designed by Russ himself. I'm sure he could conjure something more interesting and unique than what they currently have.

[Jersey Boss]

This would obviously be a huge commitment from Russ... but one downside to the player option is OKC would be in the exact same position next summer. Still, I'll be really excited to see Presti build around Russ.

Dan, he is locked up through the 2017-18 season. option year for 2018-19.

[catch22]

Dan, he is locked up through the 2017-18 season. option year for 2018-19.

Remember that even though the contract may physically be signed, none of us know exactly what the details are until the official announcement.

I do believe you are correct though, but it is too soon to speak in absolutes.

[sooner88]

Personally, it'd be nice if this time was also going to be used for the organization to announce new uniforms designed by Russ himself. I'm sure he could conjure something more interesting and unique than what they currently have.

The Nike apparel deal with the Thunder starts the 2017-2018 season. There is a good chance there will be a rebranding/redesign of some sort.

[FighttheGoodFight]

Ramona Shelburne
‏@ramonashelburne

"One key thing on the structure of Westbrook's deal. If he were to re-up after 2018, it would set records. Approximately 5 years, $204 mil"

[dankrutka]

Dan, he is locked up through the 2017-18 season. option year for 2018-19.

Yes.

Russ is in OKC in both 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. He has a $30 million player option for 2018-2019. However, unless Russ expresses a long term commitment, OKC could be in the same spot next summer as this one.

[Roger S]

Dan, he is locked up through the 2017-18 season. option year for 2018-19.

That doesn't stop him from being traded in the 17-18 season if Presti doesn't think he will stick around... He's not going to risk losing a second player of that caliber to FA while getting nothing in return.

This contract has basically bought us a year... Next year we are in the same boat we were in until this morning.... With that said. I do think it's a win/win for both sides.

[dankrutka]

This article from Woj is everything you thought about Russ. It's amazing: http://yhoo.it/2aB4hH7

The line from the article on Russ' feelings about KD: "Durant is deleted." Wow. Not surprising, but incredible to read.

[sooner88]

This article from Woj is everything you thought about Russ. It's amazing: http://yhoo.it/2aB4hH7

The line from the article on Russ' feelings about KD: "Durant is deleted." Wow. Not surprising, but incredible to read.

Loved everything about that article.

[jn1780]

That doesn't stop him from being traded in the 17-18 season if Presti doesn't think he will stick around... He's not going to risk losing a second player of that caliber to FA while getting nothing in return.

This contract has basically bought us a year... Next year we are in the same boat we were in until this morning.... With that said. I do think it's a win/win for both sides.

Its a fair deal and we really can't be too picky about it. There is little reason for Russ to risk signing a contract longer than that at this point in the game. It gives the Thunder 1 solid year to see how a team built around Westbrook does without immediate fear of him leaving after the season.

[Pete]

This is very cool (from https://twitter.com/KOCOdamonlane):

[Laramie]

Gotta love it!

Great responses by Russell Westbrook; he made sure this press conference stayed focus about the Thunder moving forward.

+> It wasn't about <- Kevin Durant.

[PhiAlpha]

That doesn't stop him from being traded in the 17-18 season if Presti doesn't think he will stick around... He's not going to risk losing a second player of that caliber to FA while getting nothing in return.

This contract has basically bought us a year... Next year we are in the same boat we were in until this morning.... With that said. I do think it's a win/win for both sides.

Made since for Westbrook to have an option in the third year of his contract, if anything for money reasons. With the CBA potentially changing, the cap increasing, and Westbrook coming up on his 10th year in the league, this was a smart move on his part. Just as good of chance that he opts out in the third year and signs a new long term deal as it is that he leaves at that point.

[Urbanized]

^^^^^^^^
OKC will have Bird rights when Russ is a free agent; whether it's after an opt-out or after the natural course of his contract. That's not inconsequential and gives the Thunder an easier path than other teams as long as they otherwise tend to business.

It's just super important that they make the right moves, especially during next year's free agency, and that Donovan's new system and the current players continue to gel. The rest will take care of itself at that point.

[dankrutka]

The scary thing that Russ mentioned today is attracting other players to OKC in free agency. Banking on free agency is risky and what if OKC strikes out (which is likely; most teams do) then does Russ lose confidence in the plan. I mean, this team could struggle some, and end up fighting for a playoff spot in a competitive Western conference.

The good thing is that Russ seems committed to the plan. If this team can win 50 games then I'll feel better about things... If it's closer to 44 then you wonder if Russ will waver.

Anyway, today was a great day and the Thunder have a bit of stability with a young, fun team. I'm really looking forward to the season.

[PhiAlpha]

Devon Tower is flashing THANK YOU - RUSS - lightning flash animation tonight.

[dankrutka]

Everyone has been throwing out the Thunder targeting Blake Griffin, but there's another guy I'd keep an eye on... Kevin Love. From what I know, Love and Russ are still tight from UCLA and I don't think Love really fits in Cleveland. Love is signed through 2019-2020 on a max deal so the Thunder would have to send someone like Kanter and someone else of real value. Love is a limited defender so maybe the Thunder wouldn't do it and the Cavs might find better offers (see the Celtics)... it's obviously super unlikely, but I could see it as being plausible. Or maybe going after Gordon Hayward in free agency... (Guessing about this stuff is fun, but generally pointless)