While Kevin Durant is a lock to return to the Warriors, he doesn’t intend to finalize a new deal with the team when free agency opens on July 1, reports ESPN’s Marc Stein. According to Stein, Durant’s plan is to wait until after Golden State has conducted most of its offseason business to re-sign with the team.
Sources tell Stein that Durant has made it clear he won’t meet with other teams or field rival offers from potential suitors, so it’s a matter of when – not if – he officially signs a new deal with the Warriors. One of Stein’s sources suggests it may not happen until “later” in July, though if Golden State wraps up most of its other major moves shortly after the moratorium ends, Durant would likely have no reason to wait beyond mid-July.
Durant, who turned down a player option for 2017/18, is eligible for a starting salary worth up to $34.65MM based on a $99MM cap. However, he’s expected to accept a slightly more modest raise in order to allow the Warriors to attempt to sign Andre Iguodala and/or Shaun Livingston. By signing Durant to a raise using his Non-Bird rights, the Warriors would retain full Bird rights on Iguodala and Livingston, allowing the team to make competitive offers to those key role players.
[RELATED: Iguodala receiving interest from at least seven teams; Livingston could command $10-12MM annually]
Of course, just because the Warriors have Bird rights on Iguodala and Livingston, that doesn’t guarantee they’ll return. If a rival team makes a lucrative multiyear offer that the Warriors aren’t comfortable matching, it’s possible Iguodala and/or Livingston will head elsewhere rather than accepting a “hometown” discount to remain with the defending champions.
If the Warriors were to lose Iguodala and Livingston, waiting to sign his new contract could allow Durant to potentially earn the full max after all, since the club would be able to renounce its rights to its other free agents and create cap room to accommodate Durant.
He’s a better man even than a player. He’s saying built the team get the guys we need or resign our current guys then sign me. Upstanding young man. None better. Wants to win.
You mean Curry? The Warriors cant play this BS game forever. Someone is going to want to get paid.
upstanding young man???? kd told NBA fans to stop watching the game, he talked mad crap of Westbrook on the way out saying they were never friends, Russ responded that’s news to me. Kd took the cowards way to a ring, what is upstanding??? just another warrior bandwagon fan talking about NBA like they understand it, you’re delusional
KD said that because Russ is an ass, and he was just being honest. Russ regurlarly dissed KD (and other teammates) on the court.
Everything you mentioned is not true at all. You are quoting out of context and manipulating the words.
He said that every game isn’t going to be close or a buzzer beater. He told fans that EXPECT THAT to stop watching because its unrealistic.
The Westbrook thing is totally BS. It was a “he said she said” situation with no credible sources and nothing from Kevin’s mouth himself.
You should just do us all a favor and smash your phone.
Found Westbrook’s TR account.
I would have thought that Iggy would be let go and they would replace him with Bell
I used to like KD but he’s soft. Couldn’t get it done with his big 3 in OKC. Is he a great player? Yeah. Should he have done it the right way with his home grown teammates in OKC? Also yeah. Joining the team that is already basically the best in the NBA, cause you couldn’t do it the right way is cheap. Lost respect for him. Plus he trash talks a bunch now.