Why Nick Collison's Contract Extension Makes Sense for Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder made the right move in giving a two-year extension to power forward Nick Collison. His value to the team and the other players on the roster goes beyond anything that can be found in a box score.
It's easy to look at the terms of the deal and be up in arms. Collison is 34 years old, and after posting career-low marks in points (4.2) and rebounds (3.6) last year, his production is going into further decline this season (3.6 points, 3.4 boards). His playing time continues to decrease. How is someone like that worth $7.5 million over the next two years?
Ask Kevin Durant, who thanked Collison during last season's MVP speech for taking a then-18-year-old KD under his wing and treating him with respect. Durant, the greatest player in the history of the Oklahoma City franchise, even called Collison "Mr. Thunder" on Twitter when news broke of the Kansas product re-upping.
Ask head coach Scott Brooks, who said Collison will go down as one of the greatest teammates of all time, per Royce Young of DailyThunder.com:
"He's going to go down as one of the best teammates of all time. Not just for our organization but from my experience of being on a lot of different teams as a player and a coach. He's right there with the best of them. He's does everything you talk about. A winning attitude, he brings that to a culture about doing things the right way. Couldn't be more proud to coach him. I understand that it's not about stats. It's about intangibles, it's hard to put a number on it, hard to put a value on it. But when you have a guy like Nick, you know how valuable he is.
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Ask general manager Sam Presti, who credited Collison's commitment and professionalism as reasons for the team's success over the years, per NBA.com:
"He has accepted various roles, demonstrated professionalism in all aspects of his craft, and shown a commitment to an organizational philosophy that is rare in sports today. Nick is the type of player that will always be valued in Oklahoma City, and we are thrilled he will continue to be a foundational member of the Thunder moving forward.
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The Thunder's decision to extend Collison makes sense because of the impact he has made as a leader and glue guy. In today's NBA, it is very rare to see anyone—much less a role player—stick with the same team for as long as Collison has been in Oklahoma City.
Rewarding Sacrifice
Every great team needs superstars. The Thunder have that in Durant and Russell Westbrook. They also need role players who are willing to do the less glamorous tasks like taking charges and setting screens. That's why having guys like Collison is crucial.
Collison talked about his role with the team, via Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman:
"I like to think a lot of things I do well, talking, communicating, understanding the importance of all the smaller things in the game. Maybe it's just get the ball moving, because we've been stagnant, or setting good screens. Whatever it is, I've got a big enough body of work, where they can count on me doing those things, and they value that.
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The Thunder are an excellent mix of generational talents and lunch-pail, blue-collar workers. While Westbrook's game is predicated on speed and athleticism, a big part of Collison's game is sacrificing his body for the greater good. That might mean getting bowled over on a charge, freeing up Westbrook with a pick or even putting himself in harm's way.
Collison has made sacrifices off the court as well. In 2010, he agreed to a four-year extension worth roughly $11 million that included declining yearly salaries. That saved the team some coin and opened up space to make other moves.
So instead of looking at this recent extension as overpaying a declining veteran, think of it as reimbursing a team player for the money he willingly gave up when he didn't have to previously. Also, as Young points out, Collison isn't the only big man in the NBA being paid more than his production suggests he should:
"Veteran power forwards still make good money in the NBA. Did you know Jordan Hill is making $9 million this season? That Jason Thompson is getting $6.1 million? That Brandon Bass is getting $6.9 million? That Trevor Booker is making $5 million?
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Have guys like Thompson, Hill, Booker and Bass been more productive than Collison in recent years? Sure. Are their talents worth the money they are making? Probably not. In the grand scheme of things, paying Collison $4 million per year in the twilight of his career isn't as bad when you look around the league.
In fairness, every NBA contract looks like an overpay at first glance. The combination of a small talent pool and high demand has typically lead to some hefty deals.
Collison's latest sacrifice has been playing time. He's logging 15.5 minutes per game, the lowest of his career. Now, keep in mind that's with fellow forwards Mitch McGary and Grant Jerrett both missing time with injuries. However, Collison could see his role increase if Steven Adams' right hand injury—via Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman—forces him to miss time.
Rather than let the dip in playing time or the lessening of his on-court role affect him, Collison has been the consummate pro when his number has been called. The best teammates are the ones willing to step aside to make room for others and don't let hurt feelings stop them from contributing when their time comes.
That's the kind of example you want to set for the younger guys on the roster.
Loyal Mentor
Collison's deal is more than an agreement to pay a large sum of money over a prolonged amount of time. It's a Lifetime Achievement Award. More importantly, it's a sign of how much the Thunder value guys who are loyal to the franchise.
Over the years, there has been plenty of temptation for that loyalty to be tested, according to Tramel:
"Back in the Thunder's inaugural season, the 23-59 debacle of a year, we constantly heard that teams coveted Collison. Seven years later, an NBA insider told me, his name still gets brought up. Franchises would like to have him.
His role and his finances would change from team to team, but contenders could use a playoff veteran who knows how to win and what it takes to win, and rebuilding teams could use a veteran to show young players the way.
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In a league where players are constantly bouncing around on the road to riches and championship rings, Collison's willingness to stick around through thick and thin can't be overlooked. Neither can the Thunder's decision to reward him for that loyalty.
How rare is it to see a player stick with the same team for as long as Collison has? Only seven other active players (chart below) have called the same place home for at least 12 seasons.
| Name | Team | Year Drafted | Seasons Played (including this year) |
| Nick Collison | SEA/OKC | 2003 | 11 |
| Dwayne Wade | MIA | 2003 | 12 |
| Udonis Haslem | MIA | 2003 (Undrafted) | 12 |
| Kobe Bryant | LAL | 1996 | 19 |
| Dirk Nowitzki | DAL | 1998 | 17 |
| Tim Duncan | SAS | 1997 | 18 |
| Tony Parker | SAS | 2001 | 14 |
| Manu Ginobili | SAS | 1999 (debuted in 2002) | 13 |
(Note: Wade and Collison were both drafted in 2003, but shoulder issues forced the latter to miss his entire rookie campaign. So Collison has technically only played 11 seasons in Seattle/Oklahoma City but has been with the team for 12 years.)
Collison's many years in Oklahoma City have allowed him to become a mentor to the team's young core. He took Durant under his wing in 2007 and has been by his side ever since. Prospects such as McGary and Jerrett will benefit from knowing that Collison will always be around to lean on for advice.
There aren't many teams that have that kind of luxury. Collison doesn't need to play 25 minutes a night to validate his new deal. The positive impact he has on his pupils (both present and future) will make him worth every penny.
For 12 years, Collison has been synonymous with the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder franchise. Before there was a Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook, he was the team's rock. When you have a player that committed on your team, you reward him for his loyalty.
Collison will never be productive enough on the basketball court to justify the money he'll be paid over the next two years. The true value of the deal will be found in the little things, such as his willingness to take younger players under his wing and taking a backseat when necessary.
Nick Collison is Mr. Thunder, and Oklahoma City did right to stand by its man.
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