Two hours before the beginning of the Oklahoma City Thunder's 2009-10 season opener game vs. the Sacramento Kings, the following press release was distributed to the media:
"The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed guard Thabo Sefolosha to a multi-year contract extension, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti. Per team policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"'We are excited that we were able to reach an agreement that will keep Thabo a part of our core group moving forward,' said Presti. 'Thabo represents many of the qualities that we look for in our players, great competitiveness, a team first mentality, and a strong work ethic. We believe Thabo's best basketball is ahead of him, and his desire to remain a part of the Thunder family allowed for us to make this happen.'"
This news was rather surprising given the fact that NBA FanHouse reported on Monday that Sefolosha's agent and the Thunder were unable to negotiate an extension.
Presti held a brief press conference just prior to tip-off about the decision-making process which led to securing this extension. "We see him as a player and a person who fits who we are and what we're trying to establish here," Presto explained. "His competitiveness, what he brings on the defensive end of the floor, his work ethic, those are all things that we value about him. We're excited that we could accomplish this, and we'll continue to add to our team next summer."
Mutual motivations were at work here. "Thabo really wanted to be here. Thabo wanted to be part of our organization and to continue working together with the group that we have. He was very motivated in that area, and we were as well," Presti said.
"We were able to find something that made sense for everybody."
Sefolosha appeared in the Thunder's final 23 games last season averaging 8.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks.
Presti noted that he's just 25 years old, and emphasized that "we feel that his best basketball is in front of him." Many believe Sefolosha, who can guard 3½ positions according to Presti, is the best defender on the team; Presti believes Sefolosha will improve offensively and become a better shooter over time.
"He's another core piece that we feel like now can continue to grow with the group that we have." Presti said they suspected this was the case when Sefolosha was first acquired from Chicago last February.
Presti indicated that Sefolosha possesses qualities that they value, i.e. high character, team-oriented, defensive-minded and hard-working.
What about draftee James Harden who plays the same position? "We like the dynamic of having guys that can play multiple positions," responded Presti. "That's a good thing for us. Guys complement each other in our perimeter area… it's just more options for our coaching staff and Scott (Brooks)."
The Oklahoman reports that Sefolosha signed a four-year contract for $15 million.
"He made a decision that this was the place he wanted to play," Presti said.
"It's definitely a great feeling just to be able to say I'm going to be four more years here," Sefolosha said in the locker room before the Thunder's impressive 102-89 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. "And just the confidence that the team has in me to offer me a contract like that is great."
