This shouldn’t come as a surprise, Kevin Durant will become an unrestricted free agent this summer and is looking for a new deal according to ESPN.
KD ‘Iceberg Slim’, is turning down money as he wants to restructure his deal. He was slated to make $26.2 million and after his performance in the NBA Finals last season, he’s has earned himself a more lucrative payday. He took less last season to make room for other role players, Shaun Livingston and Andre Iguodala.
Warriors general manager Bob Myers alluded to KD taking less last year in July.
“His gesture of taking less gave us the ability to be very aggressive in pursuing Shaun and Andre, I can pretty much unequivocally say, without it, we’re not looking at the team we have right now. What Kevin did shows who he is, shows what he’s about, and I think it’s clear that that’s winning. Without him doing that it would have been a different roster, and clearly to me, a roster that wasn’t as good as the one we have right now.”
This time around the Warriors will mostly end up paying the second best player in the NBA. Here are some of the options for KD’s upcoming offseason according to Bobby Marks.
“He can sign a two-year deal with a 2019-20 player option in which the first-year earnings would be $30 million and the option year worth $31.5 million. The only benefit in signing this contract is that the salary cap is expected to jump from $101 million (2018-19) to $108 million (2019-20). Durant could then opt out after the 2018-19 season and sign a five-year, $219 million contract. It would be the largest deal in NBA history if San Antonio forward Kawhi Leonard doesn’t sign a supermax this summer.”
“He can sign a four-year max contract valued at around $158 million. His annual pay would be $35.3 million, $38.2 million, $41 million and $43.8 million.”
“He can agree to a three-year deal with a player option after the second season. His income would go from $35.3 million to $38.2 million, and the option year would be $41 million.”
KD clearly wants to be a Warrior longterm, so what will the Warriors and KD be able to workout? Whichever way this goes, one can bet his playoff performance will play a huge role in how much bread he earns for his future.