Report: Scott Brooks agrees to become Wizards' head coach

Former Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks has agreed in principle to a five-year, $35-million deal to become the new head coach of the Washington Wizards, league sources told The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski.

This comes on the heels of management relieving former coach Randy Wittman of his duties after the Wizards missed the playoffs following a 41-41 campaign. It was the first time in three years Washington failed to qualify for the postseason.

Brooks was the only candidate team president Ernie Grunfeld and vice president Tommy Sheppard met with to discuss the position, sources told The Washington Post's Jorge Castillo.

The contract will make Brooks one of the NBA's six highest-paid coaches, joining Rick Carlisle, Gregg Popovich, Doc Rivers, Tom Thibodeau, and Stan Van Gundy.

Brooks spent seven seasons (2008-2015) as Oklahoma City's head coach, leading the team to a 338-207 (.620) record, including five trips to the playoffs and the NBA Finals in 2011-12, which they eventually lost to the Miami Heat in five games. He also earned NBA Coach of the Year honors in 2009-10 as the Thunder improved by a staggering 27 games.

The reasoning behind his firing apparently didn't come from OKC falling short of the playoffs, with general manager Sam Presti acknowledging it had more to do with the organization going through a transition period to "evolve, progress, and ultimately sustain."

Bringing him to the nation's capital could pay huge dividends in the Wizards' quest to sign soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Kevin Durant this summer, who Brooks coached during his tenure with the Thunder.