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In a scorching evening in Oklahoma City, with Russell Westbrook by his side and hundreds of fans, friends and employees of Thunder packed in front of him, Paul George shook the NBA
" If you have not quite let me repeat it, "George said. "I'm here to stay."
Indeed. It's been four years, $ 137 million for George to retain his Southwest address, by ESPN, with the fourth year a player option. The clues that George left at his exit interview in April, on the challenges that a new team faces in its first year and how does the Oklahoma City front office "check all the boxes"? It meant something. His foolproof relationship with Westbrook? It was important. A southern California address and a purple and gold jersey? (19459003) <p class = "canvas-atom web-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "What day for Oklahoma City, the Thunder gets one of the best bidirectional players in the NBA for at least the next three seasons, while avoiding the catastrophic loss of a third player from the NBA Over the past five years … and in Avoiding a potentially difficult conversation with a fourth star, when Oklahoma City recruited Westbrook for a five-year extension of $ 205 million last summer, both parties understood that if the team had to go into a Prolonged reconstruction, and if Westbrook did not want a part of it, the Thunder would work with him on a trade. "data-reactid =" 25 "> What a day for Oklahoma City. The Thunder gets one of the best bi-directional players in the NBA at least for the next three seasons, while avoiding the catastrophic loss of a third NBA-level player during the last five years … and also potentially avoiding a difficult conversation with a fourth star. When Oklahoma City recruited Westbrook for a five-year extension of $ 205 million last summer, both parties understood that if the team was to embark on a prolonged rebuild and if Westbrook did not go to court. did not want it, Instead, they will work with him on building a league title.
It is now Westbrook and George, with GM Sam Presti fine – tuning the alignment around them and the threat of franchise armageddon. pushed in the next decade. The eyebrows were lifted when George passed the one-plus-one contract that Kevin Durant and LeBron James signed, scratched heads when George did not give an exit after two years, when he would reach the coveted 10 years on duty. But understand this: George is four years old after seeing a bone in his leg tearing his flesh. For some players, security is important.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mo (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "The Lakers have a handful of young players, and LeBron James on the hook … and they could not even have a meeting with George .The LA stop last summer, refusing to include anything Significant in trade negotiations with Indiana In believing that George would walk towards them during the off season, the team that was bold was rewarded, the MJ proved successful, the star spent a year learning to choose the The Lakers have a handful of young players, and LeBron James on the hook … and they could not even have a meeting with George. L.A. was arrogant last summer, refusing to include anything meaningful in trade negotiations with Indiana, believing that George would walk toward them during this offseason. Instead, the team that was bold was rewarded, the GM having proved itself, the star George spent a year learning to choose the opportunity to play with another.
Oklahoma City simply brought back a first round group, as the Thunder were not good enough to beat Utah last season, let alone Golden State. But the landscape of the Western Conference could change quickly. James has not yet engaged with L.A., Kawhi Leonard could go to the East and even the Warriors could show cracks in the foundation. Durant's deal with Golden State was interesting, if only because it would put it on the market for autonomous players next summer, while everyone will have the space and opportunities to team up with other top players. The decision sparked an immediate gossip as Durant, still sensitive to the (fake) story that he simply jumped on Stephen Curry's train, will pocket his third ring next season and look elsewhere.
The Thunder are at stake now, a franchise on the rise instead of one on the brink of indifference, a force instead of a failure. There is still a lot to learn in Oklahoma City, as if Carmelo Anthony was worth keeping, if the bench has enough shooting and how much more money – which is already facing a luxury bill $ 130 million – is ready to spend. And George and Westbrook have to play better together.
But these are the things that matter for another day. For the moment, they celebrate. Late on Saturday night, George took to Instagram, posting a photo of him and Westbrook chewing on cigars, "Unfinished Business" the only legend. Two players with deeply ingrained Los Angeles ties and opportunities to play there have chosen to call the oil country house. The spur of the James Harden trade, Durant's loss will never really go away, but George's decision has given a basic hope for rabid fans for the future. A team that has risen and fallen this decade will have the chance to get back up.
An unfinished business, indeed.
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