Serge Ibaka
The Thunder have reached an agreement with Serge Ibaka on a four-year contract extension worth $48 million, according to league sources. Ibaka could have become a restricted free agent after the 12-13 season.
Oklahoma City now has three of their young core players signed up over the long-term as Ibaka joins Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
James Harden is also eligible to sign an extension this offseason.
There are seven NBA teams that have never had a luxury tax payment since it came into existence with the 1999 collective bargaining agreement.
James Harden, Serge Ibaka
The Bulls, Warriors, Clippers, Wizards, Bobcats, Hornets and Sonics/Thunder have always been on the receiving end of tax distributions.
While the Clippers, Wizards and Hornets have taken on salary during the 2012 offseason and the Thunder face tax issues if James Harden and Serge Ibaka are signed to new deals, the Bulls and Warriors continue to be tax conscious in their decision-making.
Golden State has just one playoff appearance over that stretch.
Scott Brooks
The Thunder have improved their contract offer to Scott Brooks, including a fourth year to the extension on the table. But sources say the two sides remain apart significantly on salary.
Brooks’ contract will expire on Saturday if he does not sign an extension. Sources say Brooks would immediately become a candidate for the Portland Trail Blazers if a deal is not reached.
Brooks had been offered a three-year extension worth around $11 million. Brooks made $2.1 million in the final year of his deal this season.
Oklahoma City’s James Harden is the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year after leading all bench players in scoring this season.
James Harden
Harden averaged 16.8 points on career-best 49 percent shooting this season, and he recorded his first career 40-point game last month in a win at Phoenix.
The bearded combo guard also became known in the final week of the regular season when he sustained a concussion while taking an elbow from the Los Angeles Lakers’ Metta World Peace.
He recovered in time to return for the playoffs and was the star of the Thunder’s fourth-quarter comeback to beat Dallas in the clinching Game 4 of their opening round sweep.
Derek Fisher
The Thunder, Bulls and Heat are three teams that could end up signing Derek Fisher once he clears waivers.
Oklahoma City are looking to add point guard depth behind Russell Westbrook due to the season-ending injury to Eric Maynor. Fisher has interest in joining Chicago or Heat where he would be able to compete for a title.
The Clippers, according to sources, are not likely to pursue Fisher.
Russell Westbrook
The Thunder have until January 25th to sign Russell Westbrook to an extension and sources say that “both sides are dug in right now.”
Oklahoma City is hoping to preserve cap space to also re-sign James Harden and Serge Ibaka next year, but Westbrook could be eligible for 30 percent of the team’s cap next season.
If Westbrook is selected to another All-NBA team, he could get a five-year, $94 million extension. The Thunder hope to sign him to the smaller five-year, $80 million extension.
Several sources close to the talks believe the sides will find a deal somewhere between the two numbers.
Russell Westbrook
Thunder general manager Sam Presti began preliminary discussions with Russell Westbrook’s agents on a contact extension.
Westbrook is now eligible to receive an extension to his rookie scale contract after playing three seasons. A potential deal cannot be signed until December 9, when the free-agent signing period officially begins
“We made calls to all kinds of (representatives of) free agents, as well as our own players to touch base and talk about whatever issues we need to cover with each player respectively,” Presti said.
“Everybody knows how we feel about Russell Westbrook as a person and as a player, and we’re looking forward to having those conversations at the appropriate time.”
Kendrick Perkins
Authorities have charged Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kendrick Perkins with misdemeanor disorderly conduct and public intoxication after an altercation early Saturday morning in South Texas.
A statement from police in Beaumont, Texas, said officers saw a large crowd outside The Ticket night club just after 2 a.m., and received complaints of fights and pepper spray inside.
An officer saw about 50 people inside around Perkins, who police said was attempting to fight the club’s manager. The statement said the crowd pushed Perkins out the back door of the club, where he continued to yell obscenities and start other fights.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant is in the early stages of contract negotiations with the same Turkish team that has signed Deron Williams and has been pursuing Kobe Bryant, according to Durant’s agent.
Kevin Durant
Agent Aaron Goodwin told ESPN.com on Tuesday night that he has met with officials from Turkish club Besiktas and has likewise begun exploring opportunities for Durant in Spain and Russia. Goodwin added that playing in China is not something Durant is considering at this time. “The Turkish option is very intriguing,” Goodwin said.
“We’re looking at other countries as well. Kevin hasn’t agreed to play anywhere yet, but we’re looking for the best fit.”
Nate Robinson
Nate Robinson attended Seahawks’ practice on Saturday.
There are no plans for Robinson to have a tryout with the Seahawks, despite a growing buzz about the subject that Robinson has fueled.
Robinson initially went to Washington on a football scholarship and was a freshman cornerback under Rick Neuheisel in 2002.
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