Thunder fans will be tracking Russell Westbrook this offseason with nervous anticipation.
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Oklahoma City's star point guard, who just averaged a triple-double this season, is eligible for another extension this summer — which could be worth as much as $220 million over five years. It would make him the NBA's highest-paid player.
Despite the expected lofty pay raise, Westbrook's return has been a point of concern in OKC, but he helped ease some Thunder worries Wednesday evening when he praised the team and city.
"Everybody knows that I like Oklahoma City and I love being here and I love everybody here. But I haven't even thought about that [contract extension]," Westbrook said, via ESPN.com . "Obviously, Oklahoma City is a place that I want to be."
Westbrook enjoyed a historic season with an NBA-record 42 triple-doubles. He said the appearances by NBA legends such as Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson were not only great for him, but for the entire city, too.
"I've never even thought about any of those things happening, being inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, having Michael Jordan come and speak and induct me," Westbrook said. "That's something that you could never dream of.
"And obviously having Oscar here — Hall of Fame player. And to have him here in Oklahoma City is not just great for me, but I think it's great for the people here in Oklahoma City. I think it's just an unbelievable honor and it's something that I never dreamed about, and very, very thankful>