Yahoo is reporting that Scott Brooks and General Manger, Sam Presti, are still far apart on contract talks. Presti reportedly offered Brooks a fourth year, but neither can come to terms on the money.
Scott Brooks’ contract expires on July 1st. League sources say if he was to be come a free agent coach, he would be an immediate candidate for the Portland Trail Blazers head coach opening. Presti and Brooks’ agent, Warren Legarie, have had talks all week long, but still have a gap on both sides.
With an NBA Finals appearance and consecutive trips to the Western Conference finals, Brooks has been seeking a deal that elevates his pay among a higher tier of league coaches. Presti has repeatedly said the Thunder value Brooks as their coach and insists they want him to return.
UPDATE: 11:09pm
The Oklahoma City Thunder and coach Scott Brooks are closing in at last on a new contract after drawn-out negotiations, according to sources close to the process.
Sources told ESPN.com on Friday night that Brooks and the Thunder, following slow-moving talks that had still left the sides well apart by the end of the NBA Finals earlier this month, will soon finalize a new four-year deal to follow up the contract that expires Saturday.
Although the financial specifics were not yet known, ESPN.com reported last week that the Thunder’s most recent offer was “north of $4 million” annually.
“They are getting close,” said one source briefed on the discussions.
