Kevin Durant shocked the basketball world when he left Russell Westbrook and the Thunder to join the Warriors during the offeason. The 2013/14 MVP signed a two-year, $54.3MM pact, but his contract contains a player option for the second season. He may decide to decline that option, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to leave Golden State, as he tells Sam Amick of USA Today.
“I’m liking it here,” Durant said. “I’m liking everything that’s going on. I know what my contract says, but I didn’t plan on coming here for just a year. I’m in it right now, and I’m also just focusing on day by day.
“I know it’s cliché, and you hear that all the time, but I’m seriously just not thinking about it because I’m like – I’m just in it for the long haul.”
Earlier in the week, owner Joe Lacob said he expects Durant to sign with the team long-term. “I have no angst whatsoever [about re-signing Durant and Stephen Curry],” Lacob said. “I totally am positive [that] I think those guys are going to sign. They’re both free agents. They have a right to do whatever they want. They’ve earned it, and I respect that. If they don’t sign with us for some reason, then shame on me and us. I take responsibility for that. But I don’t see that happening.”
Durant can benefit financially if he declines his player option and hits the market this summer. He would be eligible to receive 35% of the salary cap as his starting salary in a new deal, meaning if he signs a four-year deal, he could make over $150MM.
Durant is enjoying a fantastic first season in the Bay Area. He’s scoring 26.2 points and grabbing a career-high 8.7 rebounds per game. He’s hitting a career-best 54.5% of his shots from the field and he’s only coughing up 2.3 turnovers per game, which is also the best mark of his career.
He seems to be getting more and more comfortable with the Warriors and the fans have embraced him. As much media noise around the team, they’re still #1 and haven’t even looked to have completely hit their stride, which is scary.
Once they figure out their best lineups and get more comfortable playing with each other they are going to be super scary. The “original” Warriors have adjusted well to get Durant comfortable namely Draymond who appears content to not look for his own offense but do all the other aspects that the team needs like rebound, play tough D and facilitate. And Steph looks more and more comfortable with each game.
How can Durant sign a 5 year deal golden state doesn’t have his early bird or bird rights
Under the new CBA, they can use 2 designated players salaries which would be for curry and KD ..I’m pretty sure they don’t need his bird rights .. just needs to be on the roster before his contract is up
Good call, have edited the post to reflect that.
So is Durant just gonna act like he didn’t say these exact same things a year ago? We are supposed to believe him this time because…
Because now he’s on a team with the potential to be dynasty, not one that’s failed to help him get a ring for a decade