Scott Brooks declines a 3 year - $11 million extension from the Oklahoma City Thunder – NBA Report
It is hard to imagine that a coach who has led a team from the bottom of the Western Conference to the Western Conference title in 4 years does not have a guaranteed future with that same organization.
But that is the case with Oklahoma City Thunder’s coach Scott Brooks.
Brooks has had an amazing run with the Thunder team. He has done a great deal of work on Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden to develop them into the players they are today.
Last year was the Thunder’s breakout year when they reached the Western Conference Finals, only to lose to the Dallas Mavericks. However, Brooks built upon the success from last season and led his team to a 2nd seed
in the Western Conference this season. The Thunder led the West for most of the season but the San Antonio Spurs displaced them near the end when they went on their record breaking winning streak. Durant finished with the scoring title and was named the runner
up in this year’s MVP race. James Harden was named 6th man of the year and Russell Westbrook also received MVP mentions. That is a great turnaround to say the least.
Brooks then rose to glory when the Thunder defeated the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs to reach the NBA Finals. This was the deserving end to a spectacular season and an NBA championship would be the
icing on the cake.
However, despite Brook’s efforts with the team and the turnaround he has achieved, he does not have a contract after this season. Yahoo Sports reports:
“What’s more, Brooks is still working to solidify his own future as Oklahoma City coach. GM Sam Presti wants him back when his contract expires at the end of the Finals, but league sources say Presti has offered a three-year deal
worth just under $11 million that Brooks and his agent weren’t willing to accept in the past. They’ve set aside talks for the playoffs, and compromise could come with a guaranteed fourth year. The Thunder needed to see Brooks take one more step with this young
team before committing too far into the long term, and Brooks delivered with a conference final victory.”
The report is that Brooks was offered an $11 million 3 year deal with the Thunder but felt like he deserved more.
Talks have been postponed till after the playoffs so Brooks can concentrate on his job. However, with the kind of run the Thunder have had this season, there is a real possibility that the team management would want to have Brooks
back for the next few seasons. He has established a good roster and his offense has the entire NBA in notice.
Stars such as Durant and Westbrook are also happy with what he is doing with the team and it is unlikely that the management would want to break up a winning pair.
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