To qualify for the bonus, a player must be named league MVP, be voted in as starter to two All-Star games or earn All-NBA honors twice within his first four seasons. Rose won MVP last year, while Durant has been an All-NBA First Team selection each of the past two seasons. Thunder guard Russell Westbrook would be eligible for the same bump if he's named to an All-NBA team this season.
The problem, at least in Oklahoma City, is the provision puts pressure on the Thunder. Rather than help the franchise retain its two young stars, it could soon hamstring OKC and prevent it from fielding a quality cast to surround them with.
The institution of the Rose rule represents a clear rise in contract values at a time when the luxury tax is set to stiffen. That change creates a huge challenge in Oklahoma City, where available advertising dollars and revenue from the team's television contract are both a fraction of those in larger markets.
Now, there are two significant questions going forward. How will the Thunder continue to compete, and how much will it cost?
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