Thunder signs Thabo Sefolosha to multi-year contract extension
Per a release:
The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed guard Thabo Sefolosha to a multi-year contract extension, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. Per team policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We are excited that we were able to reach an agreement that will keep Thabo a part of our core group moving forward,” said Presti. “Thabo represents many of the qualities that we look for in our players, great competitiveness, a team first mentality, and a strong work ethic. We believe Thabo’s best basketball is ahead of him, and his desire to remain a part of the Thunder family allowed for us to make this happen.”
I see this as excellent news. I don’t want to guess what the terms might be, but I’m sure it’s reasonable and maybe within the Bruce Bowen-ish range (his first contract was a 3-year, $11.7 million deal). They surely didn’t pay him starter money as I’m sure they intend for James Harden to be that in the future. But Thabo adds depth and a defensive mindset to the team and it’s good to get this out of the way so that it’s not an issue hanging over everyone during the season. I’m glad to see that Thabo is in the franchise’s long-term plans.
That just made my day!!!! I was so bummed when I heard Thabo might leave.
I’m glad he’s sticking around, though am interested in the contract terms. A Bowen-ish contract (around 4 million per year) is a very reasonable contract for a guy you can put on Kobe, Wade, and Lebron every night. Of course, he still needs to work on his shot to really make the impact we need. Otherwise he’s not a poor man’s Battier, he’s a rich man’s Dahntay Jones. Of the two, I’d take the former.
Yes I am biased, but hopefully he stays at the starter position. That means that he MUST improve his offense to warrant staying there! I think Harden (for now) best fits as a 6th man . . .
I wouldn’t think Thabo would get MLE money. And I doubt it would be five years. Like I said, I’m trying not to guess but three years, four mil per sounds good.
Kyle Weaver has just become expendable.
This is totally off topic but kd’s blog is live and has a link to the daily thunder. I thought that was cool. Congrats!
@Vega
Absolutely. Trade bait if I ever saw it. Wonder if Kyle has ever been to Toronto?*
(Being facetious, Kyle is great–just playing on all the Bosh talk earlier)
Let’s hope this gives him extra motivation to put on a show tonight
Great news. I think the contract will be for less than 4 mil a year. Like 3.5 or so would be my guess.
I don’t know about that. I think Presti likes the versatile guys and he wants to have a few of them around. I think Weaver is part of a great bench mob since he can play three positions. I think Livingston will go away before Kyle.
This is very good news. I’m excited.
@Shane
What’s the link to KD’s blog? I cannot find it.
@Danny
http://kevindurant35.com/category/blog/
ESPN’s game recap said it was a four-year deal, but didn’t say how much.