Seimone Augustus knew what she wanted to remain a Lynx. So on Tuesday, after one of the shortest negotiating processes imaginable, Augustus signed a four-year contract.
"It was like a no-brainer for me to come back," said Augustus, whose career average of 21.2 points per game is the highest in WNBA history. "It is a great feeling to know that you are with an organization that is about its business but, at the same time, it is a family atmosphere."
The Lynx chose Augustus with the first pick of the 2006 WNBA draft. Later that year, the 6-foot guard/forward was named the league's Rookie of the Year. She has been an All-Star twice and was an Olympian two summers ago. But she missed most of last season after knee surgery.
"I been through the rough times here in Minnesota my first couple seasons here," she said. "And now it's time for the good times.
"You could see the team has progressed from being a team that people didn't take serious to a team now that they expect us to make it to the playoffs, they expect us to contend for a title. Why would I want to miss out on that?"
Augustus said the team's offseason moves, adding guard Lindsay Whalen and 6-3 forward Rebekkah Brunson, have made her feel more comfortable about the future.
"It is just crazy to think about the possibilities of this team and what we can accomplish," Augustus said.
Contract terms were not announced, but it's logical to assume she will be paid the WNBA maximum, $101,500 per year. Roger Griffith, executive vice president of the Lynx, called Augustus a superstar. Griffith said he did not offer her a contract extension at the end of last season because the Lynx wanted to sign her for as many years as possible.
