The Thunder offered Russell Westbrook a designated-veteran-player contract extension projected to be worth $207 million over five years.
He obviously hasn’t signed it yet. Oklahoma City would’ve publicized and celebrated that, as it did when he signed an extension last year.
But has he declined the offer? Neither side would necessarily rush to publicize that.
Westbrook can sign his extension anytime by Oct. 16, the day before the regular season begins. The longer he waits, the more questions this situation prompts.
The unavoidable circumstances: Westbrook can receive the exact same contract terms by re-signing next summer – while keeping his options open in the interim.
He might value security by signing earlier, especially because that could influence Paul George. But Westbrook might care about his personal flexibility.
This saga will expire in a couple months, one way or the other. Until then, it’s easy to wonder: If Westbrook plans to sign the extension, why hasn’t he done it already?
