Russell Westbrook has agreed to a five-year Women's Adidas Swift Run Multicolor Aqua Black Sale , $205 million extension to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder, a person with knowledge of the contract negotiations confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because the extension had not yet been announced.
The contract, which is the richest in NBA history, has a player option in the final year (2022-2023).
"I've said it before, and I'll say it again. There's no place I would rather be than Oklahoma City," Westbrook said in a statement. "I am so honored to have the opportunity to continue my career here with the Thunder. From day one, the support that Mr. Bennett, Sam, Troy and the entire organization have given me and my family has been incredible, and we are so grateful. When you play in Oklahoma City, you play in front of the best fans in the world. I'm looking forward to bringing everything I've got for them, this city, and for this organization. WHY NOT?"
The Thunder announced the signing later Friday with the following statement from general manager Sam Presti:
"Russell's commitment to the Thunder organization since its inception in 2008 has helped propel us to great heights and stare down great challenges over our first decade. We are extremely fortunate to have an athlete, competitor and person such as Russell wear the Thunder uniform. To have him cement his legacy as a leader as we enter into our 10th season in Oklahoma City is extraordinary. I am extremely grateful to Russell, his family and to our ownership for the commitment and support that they have demonstrated in supporting our vision for the Thunder."
Westbrook, the 2016-17 NBA MVP, will be joined by Paul George and Carmelo Anthony this season as the Thunder look to contend with the Golden State Warriors at the top of the Western Conference.
Both George and Anthony, who Oklahoma City traded for over the summer, can be free agents this upcoming offseason. Westbrook's loyalty could factor into their whereabouts in the future.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg attends a joint press conference with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis (unseen) in Bucharest, Romania, on Oct. 9, 2017. A plenary session of the NATO parliamentary assembly on Monday was held in Bucharest, capital of Romania, with the participation of parliamentarians from NATO allies and partners. (XinhuaCristian Cristel)
BRUSSELS, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- A plenary session of the NATO parliamentary assembly on Monday was held in Bucharest, capital of Romania, with the participation of parliamentarians from NATO allies and partners.
Addressing the meeting, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg praised the parliamentary assembly's role in explaining "what NATO is, and what NATO does," according to a full text of his speech posted on NATO's website.
Stoltenberg thanked Romania for its contribution to NATO operations, and its hosting of NATO ballistic missile defense site in Deveselu.
He also praised the Romanian government's announcement that it will meet the NATO target of spending 2 percent of GDP on defense this year.
Acknowledging that the alliance is facing "many different threats and challenges at the same time," Stoltenberg outlined steps NATO has taken to strengthen its collective defense.
"We are adapting to the new security challenges we face. Expanding our presence in the east of the alliance. Stepping up our response to the threats from the South. And taking our cooperation with the EU to a new level," he said.
Highlighting the burden sharing within the alliance, Stoltenberg said to parliamentarians, "I rely on you all to make the case for more and better spending back home."
Stoltenberg attended the meeting as part of his visit to Romania.
Established in 1955, NATO parliamentary assembly provides a link between NATO and the parliaments of its members to build consensus in support of alliance policies.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye, thwarted so far in ambitious plans to begin the process of reunifying the Korean peninsula, said the door is open for talks with the North during the upcoming U.N. General Assembly.
However, Park said in an interview that Pyongyang must show sincerity in seeking a constructive dialogue and "walk the talk" in taking up South Korea's offers for engagement aimed at ending a deadlock after a decade of warming ties.
North Korea will send its foreign minister, Ri Su Yong, to the U.N. General Assembly meeting, the highest ranking official from the reclusive state to attend in 15 years. Ri's official agenda is not clear.
Pyongyang has not accepted South Korea's overtures and the unpredictable North's official media has heaped insults on Park. Park said there are no current plans to meet North Korean officials in New York.
"If the opportunity does arise and they actually have the opportunity to respond and take up our offer, our earlier offer to engage in high level contacts and for dialogue, I think such opportunities would be a good thing," she told Reuters at the presidential Blue House.
"If our foreign ministers were also able to engage in dialogue on that particular point, that would also be a good thing," she added.
Her comments signal further willingness to engage with Pyongyang despite a lack of substantive progress after 19 months in office in dealing with the North and its untested leader, 31-year-old Kim Jong Un. The two sides are technically still at war since there was no peace treaty after the 1950-53 Korean War.
North Korea is keeping up its threat to conduct a fresh nuclear device test, which would be its fourth.