Kyle Singler Re-Signs with Thunder: Latest Contract Details, Comments, Reaction

The Oklahoma City Thunder have made a sizable and surprising investment in small forward Kyle Singler at the dawn of NBA free agency.    

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday that the Thunder have inked Singler to a five-year contract worth almost $25 million. ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst added that the final season on the deal is a team option.

This comes as quite a shock considering Singler, a restricted free agent, shot 33 percent from the field in 26 games with the Thunder in 2014-15.

Royce Young of ESPN.com weighed in on Singler's struggles and defended the Thunder's decision to land him:

Although Singler did play better as a member of the Detroit Pistons, he hardly comes to mind as a priority player. Past NBA MVP Kevin Durant starts at Singler's position and will command a massive contract if and when he hits free agency next summer as scheduled, for example.

Singler is capable of spreading the floor and creating matchup problems with his perimeter game. However, he's often not quick enough as a defender to keep up with more athletic counterparts.

Perhaps new Thunder head coach Billy Donovan has a plan in place to let Singler's strengths shine. A new system and a full training camp may be what the 27-year-old needs to get more comfortable with his still-new teammates.

Oklahoma City has lost momentum since its NBA Finals appearance in 2012. A healthy Durant in a contract year will go a long way, and expectations ought to be high for Singler as a pivotal role player for a squad vying to return to the postseason.