Oklahoma City Thunder end extension talks with Jeff Green
After months of speculation, the Oklahoma City Thunder finally decided not to offer a contract extension to athletic power forward Jeff Green, the team announced on Thursday 28 October.
According to Thunder general manager Sam Presti, the contract negotiations between the team and Green’s representatives have ended, and the fourth-year forward will not sign an extension
before the deadline on 1 November.
"Signing a player to an extension is certainly a positive but has become more unique," Presti said. "We explored the concept and had positive dialogue, but we will have to revisit the discussions
in the future."
Barring any last-minute changes, Green, who was the fifth-overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft, will become a restricted free agent next summer, and is expected to draw a lot of attention in
the free-agent market.
Although he expected that the Thunder will offer him an extension, Green wasn’t disappointed with his team’s decision and said that the uncertainty in next year’s collective bargaining agreement
is affecting all NBA team’s approach on contract extensions.
"I totally understand it," Green said. "There are a whole lot of reasons it couldn't get done right now, but I'm not worried about it. I'm just thinking about this season and what I've got
to do."
The 24-year old forward also added that the uncertainty in his status with the team will be an added motivation for him this season. The 6ft 9in forward had an impressive season debut as
he scored 21 points in the Thunder’s 106-95 win over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday 28 October.
With the new CBA still hanging on the balance and the proposed salary cut next season, only two players from the 2007 rookie class received contract extensions from their respective teams.
Reigning NBA scoring champion, Kevin Durant, signed a maximum deal during the off-season, while Joakim Noah inked a five-year deal worth $60m after having a breakout season with the Chicago
Bulls last year.
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