NBA - Oklahoma City Exercised Team Contract Option on Byron Mullens

(Oklahoma City Thunder center - #23 Byron Mullens)

Thunder Keeps Core - The Oklahoma City Thunder exercised contract options on five players in late June; James Harden, Eric Maynor, Serge Ibaka, Cole Aldrich, and former Buckeye Byron Mullens. J.A Sherman of Loud City perfectly explained the Mullens' contract situation.

"Harden, Ibaka, Maynor, and Mullens all had their 4th year options exercised, while Aldrich had his 3rd year option exercised. When a team exercises a player option, it means that they extend that players contract for one more season at a salary no less than the prior year's amount.

Harden, Maynor, and Mullens were all drafted in 2009, so they are entering their 3rd year of play, and their 4th year is the last year under their rookie contracts. Subsequently, the team will be able to negotiate with each of them (likely in two years) for extended contracts. All of those contract extension negotiations will likely occur under a new collective bargaining agreement."

J.A. Sherman - Loud City (Source - Link)

Questions - Byron Mullens should be used to this NBA thing by now, the 2011/2012 season will be his 3rd year of professional basketball. Despite not earning many rotation minutes in his first two years, OKC still likes his work ethic and potential to contribute to their team. Yet, right now it is kind of hard to foresee him breaking into the rotation with fellow centers Kendrick Perkins, vet Nazr Muhammad, and Cole Adrich on the team. All three of those players are very physical. Can Byron Mullens match their level of physicality and intensity? Will Byron display a level of on court awareness and rebounding prowess that OKC's staff wants to see in his third season?

Mullens is the most athletic big man on that roster, and he also has a jump-shot..but he needs to have a certain type of ruggedness to receive rotation minutes on a playoff team like the Oklahoma City Thunder. Only time will tell.. In the meantime, Mullens has been spotted in Columbus working out with fellow Buckeye George Reese, you can bet his footwork and mid-range will be on point after working with George!