Scott Brooks Reportedly Turns Down 3-Year Extension with OKC Thunder
Despite being named the NBA's Coach of the Year in 2010 and overseeing a dramatic turnaround that currently has the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2012 NBA Finals, head coach Scott Brooks may not be a lock to return to the club after this season. Via Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski:
"What's more, Brooks is still working to solidify his own future as Oklahoma City coach. GM Sam Presti wants him back when his contract expires at the end of the Finals, but league sources say Presti has offered a three-year deal worth just under $11 million that Brooks and his agent weren't willing to accept in the past. They've set aside talks for the playoffs, and compromise could come with a guaranteed fourth year.
"
Wojnarowski goes on to speculate that Brooks could be waiting to use the openings with the Portland Trail Blazers and Orlando Magic as reminders that anything short of a deal to his liking could lead him to walk away.
Of course, he also points out that it makes little sense for Brooks to leave behind such an elite young roster and still less sense for OKC to allow such a thing to happen.
Brooks has been running the show in Oklahoma City since 2008, and he's quickly become one of the most highly-regarded coaches in the game. His no-nonsense attitude is balanced with an unmistakably positive approach that has clearly translated into an all-too-rare healthy locker-room atmosphere.
Even if the Thunder could find a suitable replacement for Brooks, it would border on shocking to even entertain the premise so soon into this young team's remarkable success.
You'd describe most clubs that find themselves led by a duo of 23-year-olds as teams in rebuilding mode. In a week's time, you could be describing this one as NBA champions.
Interrupting the undeniable progress Brooks has made with his players and the rapport he's cultivated with them would go down as a historic head-scratcher. Even if there's a better candidate to do the job, it's far too soon to count Brooks out.
How much he's worth may be another story altogether, but a four-year deal wouldn't be asking for much. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook would still be firmly in the early stages of their prime years, and this team could remain a contender for another five seasons thereafter.
It may be taking the organization some time to get a deal done, but, again, it would be nothing short of baffling if it failed to do so at season's end.
