After taking a pay cut this year to help the Warriors keep their roster intact, Kevin Durant cited Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki as other players who have been willing to accept less over the years in order to help their respective clubs build winning squads. Speaking to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Durant suggested that outside observers wanted the rising cost of the Warriors’ roster to break up the team, and he wanted to do his part to make sure that didn’t happen.
“They were all underpaid and I knew at some point they’d want to get what they deserve,” Durant said of teammates Andre Iguodala, Stephen Curry, and Shaun Livingston. “So I just took a step back and let the chips fall where they may. Then I took it in my hands. I wanted to keep the team together and I thought it was going to help the ownership bring all the guys back. And on top of that, it’s my money. It’s my decision. I can do what the hell I want with it.”
Slater’s Q&A with Durant, which is worth checking out in full, also included a discussion of some revamped Western Conference contenders, the recruitment of Nick Young, and an offseason trip to India.
Here’s more out of Golden State:
- After suggesting recently on Tim Bontemps’ podcast that he expects the Warriors to pursue Paul George in free agency next summer, Tim Kawakami of The Athletic does a little damage control, writing that he has no inside information on Golden State’s interest in George. As Kawakami explains, the Warriors are simply the type of franchise that will go after virtually any top free agent that fits their style of play, and George’s two-way skill-set and expiring contract fit that bill for 2018. The odds of the Dubs actually landing George are probably slim, Kawkami notes.
- The Santa Cruz Warriors – Golden State’s G League affiliate – have named former University of Kansas standout Aaron Miles as their new head coach, the club announced in a press release. “Aaron has stood out as a leader at every stop in his playing career and as a collegiate assistant coach,” GM Kent Lacob said in a statement. “We are confident that he will be a tremendous fit for our team and our organization as we look toward the 2017/18 season and beyond.”
- For more news, notes, and rumors on the Warriors, be sure to check out their team page.
PG wont go to the warriors. And if for some crazy reason he does Adam Silver would have to put an end to this madness. They wouldn’t let the lakers get kobe and Cp3. Let alone let the warriors have 4 superstars and a superstar defender in their lineup
Says the guy who is a fan of the team that picked up the best starting pitcher available at the trading deadline.
Hmm, you mean the same Lakers that got Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown?
“Villains? They’re calling us VILLAINS??!!?”
Durant is the biggest mommas boy I’ve ever seen and tries so hard to be hard. If I were him I’d be so embarrassed looking back at all the comments he’s made and decisions. No way he watches that finals celebration and doesn’t cringe with his mom screaming in the mike like that
“It’s my decision. I can do what the hell I want with it.” Referring to stupid comments like this
He probably doesn’t cringe because he just won a championship and Finals MVP, is getting paid $25 million a year to be on the best team in the world, and knows the team will be together for at least a couple more years. Meanwhile you’re on the internet hating on him and not getting paid anything for it. Your comments were cringeworthy but none of Durant’s actions are.
You act like he cant get paid anywhere else. He went to someone else’s team to win a title. Joining the team you blew a 3-1 lead to is awful.
He can get paid anywhere else. But he “chooses” to be on the Warriors. Who wouldn’t want to be on an unselfish championship team like this!!
And speaking of losing a lead, you’re a Dodger fan so you should know what it feels like to be on the losing end and never quite reaching the top of the mountain. At least for the last 28 years… So winning 2 of the last 3 ‘chips would be foreign to you.
Lol let’s go Gary you’re the man for that comment haha
Lol
Two Garys!! You guys are both the man haha
You know you have no argument when you bring up another sport. So talking about basketball i have seen my lakers win 5 titles in my life and they have 16 total. Its cute how the warriors think they are an all time franchise for 2 titles in 3 years. My Kings just did that and no one cares
Yeah duh cause the Kings are wack
Says the guy who’s a fan of the team that is 40 games over .500 and is loaded with high priced allstar caliber players.