Reigning 6th man of the year still waiting on contract extension from Thunder as the team tries not to go beyond the salary cap.
As the NBA regular season approaches, the Oklahoma City Thunder fans will be looking forward to their team continuing their dominance from last season, and cruising in the Western Conference. The Thunder kept their team more or
less unchanged during the offseason, signing Serge Ibaka to a contract extension to keep the core of the team together.
However, fans are worrying about one small decision that still needs to be made, and that is the contract extension of the reigning 6th man of the year James Harden.
Harden in on the fourth and final year of his first contract with the Thunder, and eligible for a contract extension. If the Thunder do not sign him for an extension by July next year, he will become a restricted free agent next
summer and teams will be lining up to acquire him. The problem is that the Thunder have formed a strong team after years of developing players and rebuilding. They are now in a good position to win the NBA title and even form a dynasty. But with Harden gone,
a crucial ingredient of their success will be lost.
Harden, on his part, is not worried about the extension talks and wants to focus on the task at hand.
“Everything will figure itself out eventually. Right now, training camp is starting. I think everybody is excited to be here and just to enjoy each other's company. We really missed each other. I have confidence in my agent and
the organization to get it done. They know how important it is, so I'm sure it will be done,” said Harden while talking to reporters at the media day for the Thunder on Monday.
Oklahoma City have Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins locked in for the foreseeable future, after giving them contract extensions. However, they can go over the luxury tax threshold if they give Harden
the contract he wants or expects.
The problem is that the Thunder do not generate much revenue from television and advertising rights, unlike the Los Angeles Lakers or the Miami Heat. Hence, their General Manager Sam Presti is faced with the decision of either
going over the salary cap, or convincing Harden to take a pay cut to keep the team together.
Harden has said before that he would like to stay with the Thunder and that he cherishes the bond that the team shares.
"I think we've built a brotherhood here, a brotherhood these past years that's hard to break. Other teams, you're just teammates but we're really brothers,” added Harden.
Although the Thunder fans and players would ideally want their reigning 6th man of the year to return and give the Thunder a solid chance of clinching multiple titles in the coming seasons, there is a business side to
the deal and only time will tell how the Thunder front office reach a decision on this peculiar issue.
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