Reports: Thunder agree to contract extensions with young cornerstones
For the Oklahoma City Thunder, the uncertainty of what will be in the NBA’s next labor agreement appears to be less of an issue than the certainty of what can happen when a cornerstone player waves goodbye to a franchise.
That’s why Thunder management – having lost four-time scoring champ and former NBA MVP Kevin Durant to free agency over the summer – got busy to keep the next tier of talented, young players well-compensated and in place for the foreseeable future.
Big man Steven Adams and wings Victor Oladipo and Andre Roberson all were expected to land contract extensions by Monday night’s deadline. The Vertical issued reports on all three, with Oladipo’s deal worth an estimated $84 million over four years apparently getting done first.
From there, Adams and then Roberson also were in line for lots of zeroes and serious financial security:
Oladipo and the Thunder made progress toward an agreement during the past week before finalizing it Monday, sources said. The Thunder also are making progress on a four-year, $100 million deal with Steven Adams.
Oladipo, 24, has established himself as part of the Thunder’s core alongside Russell Westbrook and Adams. In three games this season, Oladipo is averaging 17 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
