Russell Westbrook extends with Oklahoma City

Russell Westbrook (190 cm, UCLA’08) is staying put. The All-Star point guard recently signed a contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The deal is reportedly worth $85.7 million over the next three seasons. The next two seasons are locked in, with a player option that allows Westbrook to hit free agency in 2018.

There have been many rumors and speculation regarding Westbrook’s future (or lack thereof) with the Thunder, in the wake of the biggest free agent signing of the summer, Kevin Durant landing with the Golden State Warriors. There was talk that he could be traded before the season started, with him holding all the cards with regards to his destination team. A team would need a firm commitment from him that he would sign with them long term if they would trade away so many assets to acquire him. All of that is water under the bridge and made moot at this point, with his fresh deal with the Thunder.

Here are a few words Westbrook had to say in a press conference:

“There’s nowhere else I would rather be than Oklahoma City,” Westbrook said at a news conference to announce the deal. “You guys have basically raised me. I’ve been here since I was 18, 19 years old. You guys did nothing but great things for me. Through the good and the bad, you guys supported me through it all, and I appreciate it. Definitely when I had the opportunity to be able to be loyal to you guys, that’s the No. 1 option. Loyalty is something that I stand by.”

So Russell is now cashing in at the bank and will be the center of the Oklahoma City Thunder Universe, at least for the foreseeable future. How will his team do in the ultra-tough Western Conference this 2016-17?