By Jordan Long
The Oklahoma City Thunder are keeping a piece of their young core. Shooting guard Victor Oladipo agreed to a 4-year $84 million extension. This is in hopes of building a team around Russell Westbrook, to be a title contender for years to come. What should we make of this deal?
This is Oladipo’s first year in Oklahoma. He was traded this summer from the Orlando Magic for Serge Ibaka. Oladipo is young at 24. In three games for the Thunder he is averaging 17 points, 2.3 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game. Oladipo is showing the Thunder that he can not only score, but find his teammates which could lead to wins.
The Thunder thought he was too valuable to let go. He was ready to be a restricted free agent next summer meaning that any team could sign him. Oklahoma City decided to make this deal now rather than wait. According to ESPN, Oladipo said, “I literally thought about being here a year ago, and thought what it would be like to be on this team. And for it to actually happen, it’s a surreal experience, and I know that it’s supposed to be the way it is now, I mean, it might sound crazy, but I’m definitely excited about it.”
This moves shows that the Thunder are ready not only to win now, but for years to come. Russell Westbrook won’t have to be the only player on this team to score or play defense. Center Steven Adams also completed his extension with the Thunder. The Thunder’s goal this season was to keep Adams and Oladipobefore they hit free agency. They have done that. The only core player left to sign is guard Andre Roberson. He has expressed his desire to stay in Oklahoma City. Once they sign all of them, the future is bright for the Thunder. All they need now is to win a championship. Hopefully they can deliver one within the next four years.
What do you think of the Thunder keeping Victor Oladipo?
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