OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Mananatili si Russel Westbrook sa Thunder hanggang sa susunod na limang taon.
Nagkasundo ang Thunder management at ang reigning NBA MVP para sa contract extension na limang taon at nagkakahalaga ng US$205 milion, ayon sa ulat ng Oklahoma City nitong Biyernes (Sabado sa Manila).
Kaagad namang nag-post sa kanyang Instagram si Westbrook ng larawan na sumisigaw at taas ang mga kamay sa Chesapeake Energy Arena at may caption na “WHY NOT?”
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Nauna nang sinabi ni Westbrook na wala siyang planong lisanin ang Oklahoma City na mas nagkaroon ng kinabukasan sa pagdating nina All-Stars Paul George at Carmelo Anthony. Kapwa isang season lamang ang nilagdaan ng dalawa.
“I love being here,” aniya. “I’m excited about the season. Obviously, with a lot of new changes, and I’m excited.”
Iginiit ni Thunder owner Clay Bennett na mahalaga sa pundasyon ng Thunder si Westbrook.
“We recognize and deeply appreciate Russell’s rare and unique abilities as he leads the Oklahoma City Thunder, but also understand his presence and impact on our community will be felt for decades to come,” pahayag ni Bennett.
“On behalf of the entire Thunder organization, our ownership group and all of Oklahoma, I want to express my deepest appreciation to Russell, and I know that the very best days for the Thunder are yet to come.”
Naitala ni Westbrook ang average na triple-double sa nakalipas na season para tanghaling scoring champion. Tangan niya ang average 31.6 puntos, 10.7 rebounds at 10.4 assists, at nalagpasan ang record ni Oscar Robertson para sa pinakamaraming triple-doubles (42) sa isang season.
Ang pagsirit ng career ni Westbrook ay nag-iwan ng alalahanin sa Thunder fans sa posibilidad na lisanin niya ang koponan tulad ng nagawa ni Kevin Durant, na lumipat sa Golden State Warriors sa nakalipas na season kung saan nagawa niyang maging isang kampeon.
Nilagdaan ni Westbrook ang bagong kontrata sa ika-29 na kaarawan ni Durant. Aniya, hindi niya agad napirmahan ang kontrata dahil sa personal na kadahilanan.
“I’ve been at home,” aniya. “I’ve been traveling. Just trying to get my family together, honestly. You know, having a new son can be a little difficult, you know what I mean? I’ve been trying to help my wife, help my family and enjoying and embracing that moment as much as I can because I know during the season, I’m going to be traveling and moving around.”
