Suddenly, OKC Thunder’s Future with Russell Westbrook Looks Awfully Bright

No matter how many triple-doubles Russell Westbrook racks up during the 2016-17 season, how often he darts through a defense for a momentum-swinging jam, how many game-winning shots he drains with his pull-up jumper or how high he leads his team in the Western Conference standings, he’s already made his most valuable contribution:

“Oklahoma City Thunder star guard Russell Westbrook has agreed to a three-year, $85 million-plus maximum contract renegotiation.” Adrian Wojnarowski reported for The Vertical. “… Westbrook will be under contract for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons and will hold a player option for the 2018-19 season, league sources said.”

You can forget about the trade rumors and speculation, which often had the dynamic point guard joining Al Horford and Jae Crowder on the Boston Celtics. You can shove aside the idea Westbrook was going to have a monstrous contract year before signing with his hometown Los Angeles Lakers. Enduring teammate Enes Kanter was quite aware of that oft-discussed possibility in purple and gold circles:

Stop refreshing the page Lol it’s true ?? pic.twitter.com/WxyZUHImWN

— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) August 4, 2016

For at least a little while longer, Westbrook remains in OKC. The two guaranteed years before he can opt out and hit the open market gives the organization adequate time to figure out a direction.

The Young Core

Westbrook won’t celebrate his 28th birthday until the 2016-17 season is already under way and still counts as part of the team’s young core.

Shooting guard has been a perennial weakness in OKC. The Thunder have tried plenty of different options, from Anthony Morrow and Dion Waiters to Andre Roberson and Jeremy Lamb, but none have displayed much staying power. The choices have largely been one-way contributors or developing prospects, and the team’s coaching staff has constantly tried to make situational decisions rather than let any one option grow alongside Westbrook.

But the offseason trade for Victor Oladipo changed that, and this extension should help validate the decision. Instead of playing together under the specter of Westbrook’s potential departure in free agency or as a trade chip, the Thunder’s new-look backcourt now has a chance to accept the inevitable growing pains and power through them.

Throughout his professional career, Westbrook hasn’t played with a fellow guard capable of scoring 20 points in any given game while remaining valuable in other areas. Meanwhile, Oladipo spent two of his three seasons alongside Elfrid Payton, who has never been known for his scoring acumen.

The two will take time to adjust to one another. There will be stretches filled with chemistry concerns as they feel each other out, learning how to complement strengths and mitigate …

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