Former Orlando Magic combo guard Victor Oladipo. (Photo : Getty Images)
Shooting guard Victor Oladipo is reportedly asking for a maximum salary contract extension from current squad Oklahoma City Thunder as he is set to become a free agent next summer.
The 24-year-old former Indiana Hoosiers standout, who was drafted second overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, is entering the final year of the 4-year, $21.4 million rookie scale contract he signed in Orlando.
He was traded to the Thunder last month along with stretch four Ersan İlyasova and the draft rights to Domantas Sabonis in exchange for power forward Serge Ibaka, which made OKC absorb the remaining year of his rookie deal that would earn him $6.5 million next season.
The Thunder will have to give him a contract extension right now if they do not want him to become a restricted free agent next summer or the team can let him test the market next July and just match whatever offer Oladipo may receive from other interested ballclubs, which would be risky.
Oladipo wants an extension instead of being a free agent next year, according to RealGM.
However, it would not be an easy decision to make for Oklahoma City as their no. 1 priority signing, Russell Westbrook, is also set for a contract extension this summer or else he will also become a restricted free agent next year.
Of course, one can expect that OKC would want to iron things out with Westbrook first before they deal with Oladipo next.
NewsOK noted that "under the projected 2017 salary cap ($102 million), Oladipo's salary would jump to a little under $24 million in 2017-18 if he were to receive a maximum extension" this summer, which would be a big blow to the Thunder.
OKC has until Oct. 31 this year to discuss an extension with the 6-foot-4 NBA All-Rookie First Teamer and there are no indications what the Thunder might decide on when it comes to their newly-acquired combo guard.
The report also noted that OKC "let that deadline pass with Dion Waiters and Reggie Jackson the last two seasons", although it is a different situation now as Oladipo is not a homegrown player of Oklahoma City, meaning they were not the one who drafted him.
Oladipo is said to be planned to be a part of the Thunder's core next season along with Westbrook and big man Steven Adams.
