By: Tyler Ward
The Dwyane Wade-Chris Bosh signings were not the only big things to happen in the NBA today. The Thunder announced today that they had signed the 2009 scoring champion, Kevin Durant, to a 5-year/$86 million extension. He won't be able to actually sign the contract until July 8 when it will be finalized by NBA.
Durant's deal does not include an opt-out clause, so technically, he is under contract with Oklahoma City until the 2015-16 season. The extension he signed today does not go into effect until the start of the 2011-12 season. He is still under his rookie contract that he signed in 2007 and will make about $5 million this season before his extension starts two seasons from now.
Aaron Goodwin, Durant's agent, first reported the signing to ESPN's J.A. Adande earlier today. Goodwin commended Durant and Oklahoma City for getting a deal done this soon, saying "Kevin wanted to make this commitment to the Thunder because he and his family are very appreciative of the commitment that the Thunder have made to him."
The re-signing of Durant means that Oklahoma City will have their star player for a few more seasons. After being drafted by the Seattle Sonics with the 2nd overall pick in 2007, he played one season in Seattle before the franchise moved to Oklahoma City two seasons ago. The Thunder officially made their first playoff appearance last season, almost beating the soon-to-be champions, Los Angeles Lakers. Durant and company gave the Lakers a run for their money, but lost in 6 games in the first round. The Thunder are definitely heading in the right direction and could have a good postseason team sometime soon. With a starting five of Durant, Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green, James Harden, and Nick Collison, they are poised to do well. They could be just one key player away from making a deep postseason run.
Durant is definitely the best player on the team, and possibly one of the best players in the entire league. Statistically, last season was Durant's best so far, as he posted averages of 30.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. He has career averages of 25.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game in his first three seasons in the NBA.
