Scott Brooks Reportedly Turned Down 3-Year Extension from OKC Thunder


According to Yahoo! Sports, OKC Thunder head coach Scott Brooks — whose contract ends this year — is holding out for a longer, more lucrative deal from the team: “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. The Thunder needed to see Brooks take one more step with this young team before committing too far into the long term, and Brooks delivered with a conference final victory over the San Antonio Spurs. It isn’t beyond possibility that Brooks tries to use the Portland and Orlando jobs as leverage at season’s end, but it’s hard to imagine him walking away from this Thunder core – with or without a title. And for all the Thunder’s bluffing, let’s be honest: Who are they going to hire? Presti is controlling in the way he runs the Thunder, and there are a lot of strong-minded, opinionated coaches who’d never fit into his culture. Eventually, the Thunder and Brooks will find their way to a long-term commitment.”