Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Oklahoma City Thunder star guard Russell Westbrook has agreed to a three-year, $85 million-plus maximum contract renegotiation, league sources told The Vertical.
Westbrook, a five-time All-Star, and his agent, Thad Foucher of Wasserman Media Group, are planning to fly to Oklahoma City on Thursday morning, sign the deal and likely hold a news conference with Thunder ownership and executives, league sources told The Vertical.
Yahoo – Sources: Russell Westbrook agrees to contract extension with OKC
Dreaming about obtaining Westbrook was fun while it lasted. The Thunder had all the financial leverage in what they can offer their All-NBA guard, so the chances of getting him to Boston were extremely remote. In reality, the Celtics came much closer to getting Kevin Durant.
Now we have to wait and see how this might affect the Celtics’ ability to attract free agents next year. As noted in the CSNNE article linked below, OKC now remains a highly competitive team and an attractive destination. And if Oklahoma native Blake Griffin wants to go home, the Thunder would have that advantage.
Related: MassLive – Russell Westbrook rumors: Oklahoma City Thunder agree to contract extension with superstar | CSNNE – Westbrook extends with OKC, how does it impact the Celtics?
On Page 2: K.O. is feeling O.K.
Asked about goals for the coming Boston Celtics season, Kelly Olynyk said he hasn’t really thought much about the topic yet. He has been busy rehabilitating his right shoulder, which required surgery earlier this offseason.
Two-and-a-half months into the process, Olynyk believes his recovery is either “on track” or “maybe a little bit ahead” of schedule. He was initially expected to miss approximately five months, which would take him into the middle of October and could jeopardize his chances of appearing in any preseason games.
How is Horford going to help this team?
Olynyk: Al’s a great player. He’s a team-first guy, works his butt off. He can play inside, outside, in the pick-and-roll, in the seams, makes extra passes; he’s really unselfish. Then he flies around on defense and he’s long, athletic, makes thing happen. I think he’s going to fit right in. And on top of that, he’s an unbelievable guy. Going to meet him and talk to him, I remember — I don’t know when it was, almost 10 years ago now — I was in Mexico City for Basketball Without Borders and he was my coach. I don’t even know if he knows that. I’ve looked up to him for a long time after that. He’s just been a great role model for the game of basketball and playing for his country and doing all that. I think he should be a great fit in this city.
ESPN Boston – Kelly Olynyk Q&A: Heroes, Horford, health
Good stuff from Kelly on a number of topics, especially that his shoulder is progressing well. If he is back on the court after five months, he may very well be ready by opening night of the regular season.
And on the subject of Horford – Olynyk is from Canada, Horford from the Dominican Republic, they met years ago in Mexico, and now they’re teammates in Boston. The basketball community extends worldwide, but it’s a small world, too.
On Page 3: Saluting the Heroes Among Us
The interview above took place on Wednesday at the Massachusetts State House, where Olynyk and the Celtics honored “Heroes Among Us” winners from this past season. Kelly obviously had a good time, wearing his trademark backwards cap even while being sort of dressed up.
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Kelly Olynyk was very passionate about the “Heroes Among Us” who the Celtics honored today: pic.twitter.com/ML76y68XgQ
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) August 3, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsOn Page 4: The bench isn’t too shabby, either
3. Boston Celtics
PROJECTED BENCH: Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jonas Jerebko, Tyler Zeller, Kelly OlynykThe versatility on Boston’s bench is pretty exciting. Jerebko and Olynyk can both play multiple positions, are fine defenders and can stretch the floor with their shooting. Tyler Zeller is rugged and smart. Marcus Smart could be a starter for several teams and his tenacious play has become a hallmark of Brad Stevens’ Celtics. Even Jaylen Brown should be able to make a difference in his rookie season. The Celtics are one of the deepest teams in the league and their bench will likely carry them at times this season.
CBS Sports – Ranking all 30 NBA benches: A non-playoff team secures top spot
After telling us the Celtics’ starting five ranks No. 7 in the league, CBS Sports has even more praise for the second unit. Only Utah (surprise!) and Golden State were judged better than Boston for best bench.
Almost as good: the Lakers and Nets are at the bottom of the bench list.
On Page 5: Salary capology lesson
All of that could make things interesting next summer when Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley could both be up for contract renegotiations. The situation is complicated, but I’ll try to explain as well as I can.
To be clear: I don’t know how much Thomas and Bradley would want in a possible renegotiation, and I don’t know how much the Celtics would be willing to give. I don’t know how Thomas and Bradley would feel about finishing out their current bargain deals if it meant the team could continue chasing big stars.
I do know three things:
1. Thomas and Bradley both deserve a lot more money. One’s an All-Star. The other made the all-defensive team. Both have smaller contracts for next season than Matthew Dellavedova. It’s a weird NBA world right now, and most players on old contracts are badly underpaid.
2. The Celtics would love to have maximum cap space next summer when Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul could all hit the market along with players like Gordon Hayward, Kyle Lowry and Paul Millsap.
3. The two previous items on this list clash.
This is an enlightening article, in particular because my eyes glaze over when the discussion turns to salary cap minutiae, and I need someone to explain everything to me in simple terms. Obviously, keeping IT and AB happy is crucial to the future of the franchise. However, as with almost everything, I’m going to trust that Ainge and his sidekick Mike Zarren will get it right. (P.S. Never mind on Westbrook.)
And, finally: Crowder goes to Maine…for baseball
HAD A GREAT TIME YESTERDAY THROWING THE 1ST PITCH AT THE PORTLAND SEADOGS GAME. #NEWSPORTALERT # #MAKEITLOOKEASY pic.twitter.com/KwpwWDzMCt
— JAE CROWDER (@CJC9BOSS) August 3, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsThe Rest of the Links:
MassLive – Tom Brady’s intelligence really impressed Boston Celtics big man Kelly Olynyk | Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart pushing each other in offseason workouts
Yahoo – Summer rewind: Brooklyn Nets
Bleacher Report – 5 NBA Teams That Can Take the Next Step with One More Deal
NBC Sports – Sam Mitchell: How Timberwolves fired me, Milt Newton upset Kevin Garnett
CBS Sports – NBA vs. Olympics: An Idiot’s Guide to International Basketball Rules
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