Friday Bolts: 7.21.17

Dakari Johnson will be signing with the Thunder for two guaranteed years: “Johnson, the 7-foot center who’s spent the past two seasons with the Oklahoma City Blue in the NBA Development League, will sign a guaranteed two-year contract with the Thunder, The Vertical reported on Thursday night. Johnson, 21, was a first-team All-NBA Development League selection this season after averaging 18.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for the Blue. He was the youngest player named to the first team.”

Bleacher Report lists “Literally Nothing” as OKC’s biggest bonehead move of the offseason: “Trading for Paul George was a brilliant move and not just because the return was so minimal. Giving up Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis should’ve been an easy decision, particularly when the former is already working on a contract that pays him $21 million for each of the next four seasons. George is a perfect fit next to Russell Westbrook, giving the dynamic point guard and reigning MVP a top-notch spot-up threat who can also cover up defensive deficiencies.  But was Presti done yet? Of course not! He re-signed Andre Roberson, a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate moving forward, to a bargain of a contract ($30 million over three years). Ditto for Patrick Patterson (regarding his deal, not the DPOY candidacy), and it’s not like Raymond Felton is a bad find as a backup point guard.”

Erik Horne on why Russell Westbrook’s extension is about more than money: “Westbrook’s contract is the last big domino to potentially fall for the Thunder before the seasons starts in October. He’s eligible to sign a supermax Designated Veteran Player Exception, which would pay him more than $235 million over six seasons, the largest contract in NBA history. While the Thunder feels optimistic about Westbrook re-signing, there are circumstances for the superstar that make it more difficult than just taking the big money.”

Nick Gallo on Steven Adams carving out his own piece of the paint: “Heading into his fifth NBA season, Adams has earned his position as one of the very best centers in the league. To be fair, the traditional back-to-the-basket center is less common now than it was even five years ago, but that makes Adams’ combination of height, weight, strength, length and athleticism all that much more impressive. He can battle with the goliaths down low, switch out onto the water bug point guards darting along the perimeter and deal with opponents of any ilk in between.”

Russell Westbrook is going into the Bobblehead Hall of Fame: “The Basketball Hall of Fame will have to wait, but the Bobblehead Hall of Fame is saluting Russell Westbrook and his historic 2016-17 season now. The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled two Westbrook statuettes on Thursday morning, including one that will let fans track Westbrook’s career triple-doubles.”

French big man Yannis Morin has agreed to a deal with the Thunder: “French big man Yannis Morin has agreed to a deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, as reported by BeBasket. Morin spent the Summer League with OKC and made a good impression on the staff. The player has opted-out of his deal with Chalons-Reims, as his agent confirmed to BeBasket. Morin played with Le Havre in French Pro B last season, averaging 6.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.”

Terrance Ferguson is the only first round selection to remain unsigned: “The Nets signing of first round pick Jarrett Allen leaves Terrance Ferguson (OKC) as the lone unsigned first round selection.”

A great overview of the new two-way contracts: “The NBA and NBPA agreed to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) effective July 1, 2017. A major change to the CBA is the addition of two-way contracts. These new contract options could set a precedent for a true minor league system and they allow additional opportunities for players to be developed by NBA clubs while earning a higher salary than a standard G League player.”