Russell Westbrook officially signed a three-year, $85.7 million extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Westbrook was eligible for free agency in 2017.

"There's nowhere else I would rather be than Oklahoma City," Westbrook said at a news conference to announce the deal. "You guys have basically raised me. I've been here since I was 18, 19 years old. You guys did nothing but great things for me. Through the good and the bad, you guys supported me through it all, and I appreciate it. Definitely when I had the opportunity to be able to be loyal to you guys, that's the No. 1 option. Loyalty is something that I stand by."

Asked why he agreed to the extension now rather than wait until next season, Westbrook was emphatic: "There's no need to wait if you know where you want to be."