Should Thunder coach Scott Brooks get a long-term deal now or later?
The theme for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s offseason seems to be “Hold on to what you’ve got,” and it started Tuesday with the easiest call of all.
The Thunder announced it is picking up the third-year option on NBA Coach of the Year Scott Brooks’ contract, locking him up through the 2011-12 season. The question is will the Thunder make an offseason move to further extend Brooks’ contract?
A look at three reasons why that may not happen this summer, and one reason why it might:
– More pressing matters: Signing Kevin Durant to a maximum contract is priority one, which resolving Jeff Green’s status (new deal or restricted free agency after next season) ranks second. Then there’s the NBA Draft and free agency. Why work on a new deal with your coach when you don’t have to for at least two seasons?
– Brooks’ personality: Unlike a lot of coaches in this league, he doesn’t strike me as a guy likely to demand an extension at the first sign of success. Whether he’s simply bought into GM Sam Presti’s “it’s-a-process” mantra or whether as a partner he’s helped shape it, Brooks has given every indication that he loves the position he’s in, that he’s grateful to be there and that he’s unlikely to do anything to force the issue.
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