Russell Westbrook signs $205 million contract extension to stay in Oklahoma City.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Russell Westbrook is staying with the Thunder.
The superstar point guard and reigning NBA MVP has signed a contract extension to remain in Oklahoma City, the team announced Friday. ESPN first reported the deal and said it was worth $205 million over five years.
Westbrook made an Instagram post Friday afternoon, a photo of him yelling at Chesapeake Energy Arena with his arms raised in the air. His words of choice to go with the photo are the words he lives by and the name of his charitable foundation: “WHY NOT??”
Westbrook said this week that Oklahoma City is where he wanted to be. He said he was thrilled with the offseason additions of four-time All-Star Paul George and 10-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony. Both have player options on their deals after this season.
“I love being here,” he said. “I’m excited about the season. Obviously, with a lot of new changes, and I’m excited.”
Westbrook averaged a triple-double last season and was the league scoring champion. He averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists and broke Oscar Robertson’s singleseason record for tripledoubles with 42.
His success increased anxiety for Thunder fans who feared he might leave, as Kevin Durant did during the summer of 2016 when he chose to join the Golden State Warriors.
Schroder charged with battery
After saying he needed to be more of a leader on a rebuilding team, Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder was arrested on misdemeanor battery charges Friday for a fight outside a late-night restaurant.
Brookhaven police reported that Schroder and three other men were charged in the altercation, which occurred around 2 a.m. Friday at the 6am restaurant. The fight had broken up when police arrived, but a review of video from the scene led to the charges.
Police said Schroder and the other three men, identified as Maurice Adu-poku, Edrissa Sonko and Balle Jobe, were attempting to leave the scene when two police officers arrived. The suspects were stopped near the entrance of a parking lot.
The Hawks declined comment. Schroder was released on bond and is traveling with the team to Miami for its first preseason game Sunday night.
The 24-year-old Schroder is the top returning scorer on the Hawks, averaging 17.9 points and 6.3 assists per game in his first season as a full-time starter.
Odds and ends
Cavaliers forward LeBron James missed his second straight practice with a sprained left ankle. Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue said the superstar is day-to-day, but the team has not said much else about James’ injury. … The Bulls say first-round pick Lauri Markkanen is dayto-day with back spasms. The 7-foot Finnish forward left practice Friday.