- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
What the New CBA Means for Thunder’s Chances at Re-Signing Russell Westbrook
- Updated: December 16, 2016
The NBA players and owners have agreed to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement months in advance of a potential lockout.
There should be much rejoicing now that any potential work stoppage appears to be avoided.
This should include Oklahoma City, even as the outgoing CBA has been a thorn in the Thunder’s side since 2011. Radical changes in that agreement—such as stiffer luxury tax penalties, rollbacks in veteran extensions, and limitations on extending rookie scale contracts—threw a wrench in the team’s best laid plans.
Thus, Thunder general manager Sam Presti must be thrilled to get in front of potential landmines this time around.
As with any new agreement, there will be salary cap rule changes and additions. For example, luxury tax rules will be “softened” for some teams and trade rules will be “liberalized”, according to Sports Illustrated. Minimum salary contracts and various salary cap exceptions will increase by 45 percent.
@AlbertRandom1 Minimum salaries, rookie salaries, mid-level exceptions and biannual exception all going up 45%
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) December 15, 2016
A new perk called the “designated veteran” rule gives teams an opportunity to extend the contract of a star player much more easily. The rule appears to be designed to give franchises an extra advantage in locking up its superstars before they hit free agency.
Quick CBA note: Teams will get TWO uses of new Designated Veteran Exception, not one. So teams can lock up two stars before they hit FA.
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) December 15, 2016
Only guys who meet various performance criteria — including All-NBA team — will be eligible for Designated Player extensions, sources say
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) December 15, 2016
What does that mean for Russell Westbrook, who was celebrated in the state of Oklahoma when he agreed to a three-year extension with the Thunder during August?
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