Kevin Durant can begin negotiating a contract extension with the Thunder when free agency begins on Thursday at midnight.

However, the youngest player to ever win an NBA scoring title wouldn't air his demands publicly.

Durant passed on the opportunity to say he desires a maximum contract on Wednesday, but has previously said that he wants to sign a long-term deal.

Jeff Green will be eligible for a contract extension just like teammate Kevin Durant once free agency begins on Thursday at midnight.

While Durant's expected extension might be larger in value, the Oklahoman writes that Green's will have a larger bearing on the financial future of the team.

"If Oklahoma City overpays Green, the franchise's financial framework could be wrecked," writes Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman.  

"If the Thunder comes in too low, the team could ruin relationships or, worse, lose a key cog to what is quickly showing the makings of a soon-to-be championship-caliber squad. Avoid both and find a middle ground and Green's deal still could set a standard for the franchise's players who follow."

If Oklahoma City doesn't reach an agreement with Green by Oct. 31, he'll become a restricted free agent next summer.

"It's going to be important," Durant said. "Jeff is a real key part to our team. I really want him to stay. That's like my brother. I don't want him to leave. We've been so good together, everybody...I don't want to see anything break up over non-basketball-related things. It's going to be a tough summer for everybody, not just our team but everybody. But I think we'll stick together."

The Thunder and Kevin Durant are expected to agree on a contract extension shortly after July 1.

Durant believes he deserves a maximum deal from Oklahoma City.

"Kevin expects to have an opportunity to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder and continue to play," said Durant's agent, Aaron Goodwin. "And he fully believes that that opportunity should be a maximum opportunity, as do I.

"Kevin has surely put himself in position, by becoming a First-Team All-NBA player, by leading his team to the playoffs and the great run that they had, to be deserving of that."

The Thunder can begin negotiating with Durant on July 1, but contracts can't be signed until July 8.

The value of Durant's deal will not be known until next July, when the salary cap for the 2011-12 season is set.

When Rod Thorn steps down from his position with the Nets, the franchise is expected to pursue Thunder GM Sam Presti.

Presti was a member of the Spurs front office until becoming GM of the Sonics in 2007.

The Thunder acquired Morris Peterson in a draft-night trade with the Hornets and the veteran hopes to stick with Oklahoma City.

"This is a great situation," Peterson told The Oklahoman. "I watched the Thunder all this year grow as a team and make that run in the playoffs. So to be traded there is an honor because I've watched those guys and how hard they work and how close they are as a team."

Peterson won't officially become a member of the Thunder until July 8 because the team is using cap space to acquire the draft rights to Cole Aldrich and the remaining $6.6 million on Peterson's contract.

"I definitely want to be in Oklahoma City," Peterson said. "They've got great fan support, a class organization. And they're a team that's on the rise and I feel like I can come and give them some veteran leadership and help with my basketball skills."

The Thunder have drafted Eric Bledsoe for the Clippers and will receive a future first round pick in return.

The Oklahoma City Thunder don't have a deal with the Pacers centered on Eric Maynor, but they continue their efforts to move into the top-10.

According to a source, the Thunder are targeting Gordon Hayward.

The Thunder are holding serious talks with the Pacers to trade Eric Maynor, in addition to the 18th and 21st picks for the 10th overall selection.

The Miami Heat have agreed in principle to trade Daequan Cook and the 18th overall pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the No. 32 selection in the draft, sources told Yahoo! Sports.

?We are pleased to add Daequan Cook to the Thunder roster,? said Sam Presti, Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager in a press release. ?He will add depth and shooting to our backcourt.?

Kevin Durant is hoping to negotiate an extension with the Thunder on July 1st.

"I hope it happens, man. I'm really emphasizing how much I really enjoy playing for the Oklahoma City team and playing for that city," Durant said in a phone interview Tuesday.

"Hopefully something gets done. I work hard and hopefully things start to pan out for me. We'll see what happens on July 1."

urant said he'd prefer to have the contract done with soon, but he won't be hurt if there isn't an offer waiting for him when negotiations are allowed to open next week.

"I'm not going to be disappointed at all because I like playing the game," Durant said. "I have the chance to play again the year after that. I won't be disappointed because I'm still going to play the game of basketball, but I would like to have something done by the end of the season."