KING OF THE PRAIRIE STAYING PUT
Westbrook keeps his word with 5-year contract extension
Aug. 4, 2016: With Oklahoma reeling, Russell Westbrook walked up a blue carpet outside Chesapeake Energy Arena, ready to take his place as the centerpiece of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“There is nowhere else I’d rather be than Oklahoma City,” Westbrook said that day.
Sept. 25, 2017: After a year of seizing his first Most Valuable Player Award, welcoming his first child into the world and getting outfitted with two All-Star running mates in his quest for an NBA Championship, Westbrook doubled down.
“Like I said before, man, like I told you guys last year, this is a place I want to be,” he said at Thunder media day Monday. “I love being here. I love the fans. I love the people here.”
On Friday, Westbrook put his final stamp on his commitment to the
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.”
Sam Presti Thunder general manager
Thunder, a day that will never be forgotten by sports fans in Oklahoma City and throughout the state.
The Thunder guard agreed to a five-year contract extension Friday that will keep him in Oklahoma City through the 2022-23 season. The extension is the largest in NBA history, estimated at $205 million over five years. His average salary ($38.8 million) over the length of the total six years he’s under contract is projected to eclipse that of former teammate James Harden ($38 million).
The extension is an affirmation of what Westbrook has touted all along — through all nine seasons of his Thunder career and ever since the lightly-recruited kid from Los Angeles arrived in the Sooner State.
“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, there is no place I would rather be than Oklahoma City,” Westbrook said in the first sentence announcing his extension.
“From day one the support that Mr. Bennett, Sam, Troy and the entire organization have given me and my family has been incredible, and we are so grateful. 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.”
Westbrook finished his statement with his trademark “WHY NOT?” in all capital letters.
Do you think Westbrook is excited?
Less than 20 minutes after his extension was formally announced, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett signed a proclamation Friday afternoon which deemed every day in Oklahoma “Russell Westbrook Day.”
No proclamation was needed. Since Kevin Durant’s departure in free agency in the summer of 2016, all seven days of the week belonged to No. 0 for Thunder fans.
There were tense times, like the countdown to Oct. 16, the last day Westbrook could have signed the mega extension offered by the Thunder. If he hadn’t signed, the Thunder — the city, the state — would face the prospect of Westbrook becoming a free agent in 2018.
But Westbrook signing long-term fits with his consistency. While the contract extension remained unsigned this summer, the Thunder was getting the same feeling from Westbrook’s camp and his agent Thad Foucher that the franchise had in the summer of 2016 when Westbrook signed an $85 million extension.
Just as Westbrook leaves Thunder fans optimistic night-to-night with his fearless knives through the lane, his roars into the crowd, his calls of “I’m coming” to his rivals, he left the Thunder front office optimistic, as well.
Westbrook gave general manager Sam Presti, assistant GM Troy Weaver and part-owner Clay Bennett no reason to doubt.
“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 a statement. “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.”
Naturally, the vibe on the streets of Oklahoma City held that same optimism when news broke that Westbrook is returning for five more years. Alex Valderrama, a bellhop/valet at the downtown Sheraton, stood outside alone on his break, and gave a fist pump at the mere mention of Westbrook’s return.
Each member of the Sheraton staff wears a gold nameplate. On the plate, each employee has to have a conversation starter.
Alex’s reads “OKC THUNDER.” He’s worked there six years and the plate has never changed.
Nether has Westbrook. His word remains the same.
“Russell Westbrook signing today was the most awesome thing ever,” Valderrama said. “What he has done ... nobody will understand.
“He’s dedicated to his city. It’s an amazing amount of loyalty. There are no words to explain how awesome it is.”