Report: Thunder's Oladipo seeking max extension
The Oklahoma City Thunder are starting life after Kevin Durant. They acquired Victor Oladipo in a draft night trade, and are already facing a decision regarding his future on the team.
The 24-year-old guard is eligible for a rookie-scale extension and seeks the maximum salary, sources told ESPN's Zach Lowe.
Drafted second overall in 2013, Oladipo's still under his rookie deal, which will see him earn $6.5 million in the upcoming campaign. If the Thunder don't extend his contract before the Oct. 31 deadline, he'll be a restricted free agent next offseason.
The Portland Trail Blazers have reportedly awarded the league's Most Improved Player, C.J. McCollum, with a max-contract extension worth $106 million over four years. Like him, Oladipo is a young and talented two-guard.
With the salary cap expected to rise again to roughly to $102 million, Oladipo's max deal is projected to start at around $24 million in 2017-18.
Oklahoma City may prefer to maintain financial flexibility for now, though, as the organization's main priority is believed to be retaining its remaining superstar, Russell Westbrook. The club's reportedly trying to convince him to renegotiate his contract and forgo unrestricted free agency next offseason in the process.
Oladipo recorded 16 points, 4.8 boards, 3.9 dimes, and 1.6 steals in 33 minutes per game for the Magic in 2015-16.