Russell Westbrook's Thunder Contract Not in Negotiation Process, Sam Presti Says

With Russell Westbrook entering the final guaranteed year of his contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, general manager Sam Presti has offered an update on the status of talks with the 2016-17 NBA MVP.

Per ESPN.com's Royce Young, Presti noted he "wouldn't really say that one's a negotiation" when asked about a possible contract extension for Westbrook. 

Young added the Thunder are "just waiting" for Westbrook to give an answer on their most recent offer. 

Presti has taken action to make Westbrook happy after the Thunder were bounced from the first round of the playoffs by the Houston Rockets last season. Paul George was acquired in a surprise trade with the Indiana Pacers on June 30. 

USA Today's Sam Amick reported July 1 that Westbrook isn't expected to sign a five-year, $217 million extension with the Thunder right away but that offer will remain on the table until he does or the deadline to sign it expires when the 2017-18 NBA season begins. 

Westbrook holds a player option for the 2018-19 season worth $30.5 million, per Spotrac. He's spent the first nine seasons of his NBA career with the Thunder after being drafted fourth overall in 2008.