It may be another eight months before Steven Adams puts pen to paper on a lucrative new deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Thunder have until 5pm New Zealand time today to sign the young Kiwi centre to a rookie contract extension, which will reportedly be a four-year $US100 million deal.

If they don't, Adams will become a restricted free agent at the end of the NBA season.

Oklahoman Thunder writer Erik Horne said Adams is absolutely worth that much money, and the figure is appropriate for someone of his youth and age.

He said Adams is going to get paid, whether it's now or at the end of the season.

Horne said the Thunder want Adams to be a part of the organisation, but it's a matter of whether they can get his contract over the line today or in July.

LISTEN ABOVE: Oklahoman Thunder writer Erik Horne speaks with Rachel Smalley