Thunder lock up Steven Adams, Victor Oladipo with multi-year extensions
The Oklahoma City Thunder lost Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka in the offseason, but they locked up two core players Monday.
The Thunder signed center Steven Adams and guard Victor Oladipo to multi-year extensions, executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti announced Monday night. Terms were not disclosed by the team, but Yahoo Sports' The Vertical reported both players received four-year deals — $100 million for Adams and $84 million for Oladipo.
"We are excited to extend our partnership with Steven and Victor," Presti said. "Both players represent the Thunder’s present and future, exhibiting the values that the Oklahoma community and our organization hold in high regard: hard work, team first, resiliency and citizenship."
With Russell Westbrook now entrenched as the lone star player, the Thunder were wise to retain two key players around the play-making point guard.
Adams has steadily improved since he entered the NBA as the No. 12 overall pick in 2013. The New Zealand native broke out during the playoffs last season and impressed with his tenacious defense against the Golden State Warriors. The 23-year-old put up six double-doubles and averaged 10.1 points and 9.5 rebounds in 22 postseason games.
His play protecting the rim made it easier for Presti to deal Ibaka to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Oladipo, who has replaced Durant as the No. 2 option on offense. Oladipo has averaged 15.9 points in four years since being selected No. 2 overall.
Oladipo is just 24, and along with Adams and Westbrook, the Thunder's core is firmly in place.
Westbrook, who dropped the NBA's first 50-point triple-double in 40 years on Friday, is under contract through 2019 with a player option in 2018.