Russell Westbrook is a max man.
The Oklahoma City Thunder guard agreed to a five-year contract extension today, and a source tells SheridanHoops.com that Westbrook received the largest deal available to him: A 5-year, max contract that will be worth approximately $79 million.
Under the new collective bargaining agreement, each team is allowed to designate one player to receive a five-year deal (players who signed under the old CBA, such as Kevin Durant, do not count). The max money will give Westbrook a starting salary equal to roughly 25 percent of the salary cap for the 2012-13 season, a number which has not yet been determined.
Westbrook and Durant are now both under contract through the 2016-17 season.
“We are thrilled to solidify Russell’s future with the Thunder,” Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti said in a news release. “Since we arrived in Oklahoma City, Russell’s work ethic, persistence, character, and involvement in our community have helped us establish the standards that we are committed to on a day-to-day basis. He is a valued member of our organization and we look forward to his continued contributions on and off the floor.”
In three-plus seasons as a member of the Thunder, Westbrook has appeared in 261 games (244 starts) and registered averages of 17.9 points, 7.0 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 33.8 minutes per contest. At the end of the 2010-11 season Westbrook became one of only five players in league history (LeBron James, Chris Paul, Anfernee Hardaway and Oscar Robertson) to record 4,000 points, 1,500 assists and 1,000 rebounds through his first three NBA seasons.
Last season, Westbrook was awarded All-NBA Second Team honors after averaging 21.9 points (13th in the NBA), 8.2 assists (9th in the NBA), 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals (4th in NBA) in 34.7 minutes.
And Harden too of course.
*his beard told me not to forget him in my comments*
As an OKC fan this is fantastic news. Look forward to the next 5 years with Russ and KD.