With all the NBA Finals talk going on, we’ve learned that Scott Brooks has turned down a three-year 11 million contract extension from general manager Sam Presti. This is being reported by Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Brooks is currently in the final year of his original three-year deal with the Thunder.
Here’s the story:
Brooks is still working to solidify his own future as Oklahoma City coach. GM Sam Presti wants him back when his contract expires at the end of the Finals, but league sources say Presti has offered a three-year deal worth just under $11 million that Brooks and his agent weren’t willing to accept in the past. They’ve set aside talks for the playoffs, and compromise could come with a guaranteed fourth year. The Thunder needed to see Brooks take one more step with this young team before committing too far into the long term, and Brooks delivered with a conference final victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
It isn’t beyond possibility that Brooks tries to use the Portland and Orlando jobs as leverage at season’s end, but it’s hard to imagine him walking away from this Thunder core – with or without a title. And for all the Thunder’s bluffing, let’s be honest: Who are they going to hire? Presti is controlling in the way he runs the Thunder, and there are a lot of strong-minded, opinionated coaches who’d never fit into his culture.
I fully expect Oklahoma City to sign with Brooks. It’s all about a matter of time right now. Presti won’t be able to find a coach that allows him to dictate the team the way he does, and it works the other way too. Brooks isn’t going to find a team that’s this talented, and is allowed to coach the way he does without GM interference.
