Oklahoma City Thunder extend options on young talent
On Monday, 25 October, the Oklahoma City Thunder announced that they were extending contract options to six of their players. Among those players is point-guard Russell Westbrook, who had a fourth-year option in his contract.
Westbrook, the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft, had a 41.8 shot percentage last year. Over his two seasons with the Thunder, he has averaged 16.1 points and eight assists.
Joining Westbrook in contract extensions are D.J. White, guards James Harden and Eric Maynor, forward Serge Ibaka and center Byron Mullens.
Like Westbrook, White has gotten his fourth-year option picked up. White went 29th overall in the 2008 draft and has averaged only 6.4 points and 2.9 rebounds a game over his two seasons with the Thunder.
Harden, who went third overall in 2009 draft, got his third-year option exercised by the Thunder. Harden played 76 games with the Thunder in his rookie season and averaged 9.9 points and 1.8 assists. Harden has continued to improve and this preseason he
averaged 13.9 points, 4.7 assists and three rebounds.
Maynor, another first round pick in the 2009 draft, averaged 4.5 points and 3.4 assists over two seasons. Playing as a reserve point-guard, Maynor averaged just over 16 minutes a game last year. This preseason coach Scott Brooks increased the 23-year-old’s
game time and Maynor delivered with 7.8 points and 4.2 assists.
The Congolese Ibaka, known for his raw talent, was a 24th pick overall in the 2008 draft. He has career averages of 6.3 points and 5.4 rebounds a game. While Mullens was the 24th pick in the 2009 draft, he also had his third-year option picked up.
The Oklahoma City Thunder went 4-3 this pre-season winning their last pre-season game against the New Orleans Hornets 101-86.
They are set to open their regular season against the Chicago Bulls who have a four and four record in the pre-season.
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