Thunder, Westbrook agree on 3-year deal

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A month after Kevin Durant bolted for Golden State, star guard Russell Westbrook signed a contract extension to stay in Oklahoma City.

The team confirmed Thursday that Westbrook signed the extension. A person with direct knowledge of the terms said the two sides agreed on a new three-year deal worth $85.7 million. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team did not release terms.

After the announcement, the team feted Westbrook on Thursday afternoon during an event that was part pep rally and part press conference. He exited a vehicle on a street in front of Chesapeake Energy Arena and briefly addressed a crowd of about 1,500 people outside before entering the arena lobby, where highlights of Westbrook’s eight-year career with the Thunder were played on a big screen hung from the ceiling.

Westbrook said people — specifically in the Thunder organization and generally in Oklahoma City — convinced him that staying with the only franchise he’s ever known was the correct decision.