Another day, another development in Durantbrook-gate.
Today, Russell Westbrook spurned swirling theories that, in the wake of Kevin Durant‘s departure, he too would search for greener pastures come his free agency period next summer. The career-long Thunder signed a lucrative 3-year, $85 million contract re-negotiation–with a player option for the 3rd year–that keeps him in OKC guaranteed at least until the summer of 2018, and will give him the third-highest annual salary in the league, behind former Thunder teammate James Harden, and Memphis Grizzlies crown jewel Mike Conley.
At 4:30 CT, Westbrook will host a press conference at the Thunder’s home arena in Oklahoma City, where he will undoubtedly field a myriad of questions about his relationship with Durant, both past and present, and the events leading up to KD’s bombshell Player’s Tribune post on July 4. Thus far, outside of a cackling laugh worth a thousand words, Westbrook has yet to be heard from about his longtime teammate’s departure, which automatically makes that press conference a must-watch.
In the meantime, Durant, who hasn’t shied away from the media during his tour with Team USA as they prep for this month’s Olympic games in Rio, has already no-comment commented on Westbrook’s new deal. Gary Washburn, national NBA writer for the Boston Globe, talked with Durant in Rio once news of Westbrook’s new deal went viral, and he asked Durant if he planned on congratulating “Brodie” on his 3-year extension. Durant’s answer? “Nah.” In full, it went something like this.
Durant on whether he’ll contact Westbrook to offer congrats: “Nah, that’s a touchy subject. I’ll see once everything dies down.” #Rio2016
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) August 4, 2016
Do understand that just about every basketball writer attending today’s press conference already has that tweet locked and loaded in their phones, ready to lob it at Russell hoping for a response.
