Asked if his 2018 free agency is the foregone conclusion that 2017’s foray onto the open market was, Kevin Durant has confirmed that he’s not going anywhere this summer. As Anthony Slater of The Athletic writes, Durant said today that he’s 100% sure he’ll be back with the Warriors for next season.
Durant, in his second season with the Warriors, has already signed two contracts with the team and may sign a third this summer, since it has made sense for him to go year to year. Durant’s current deal includes a $26.25MM player option for 2018/19, but he could make more money by opting out and signing a new contract. While the reigning Finals MVP knows he’ll remain a Warrior, he isn’t sure what sort of deal he’ll sign – in terms of years and money – if he opts out.
“Who knows? Who knows how I’ll feel? Who knows what’ll happen, what we’ll need at that time?” said Durant, who took a discount last summer that helped the Warriors re-sign Shaun Livingston and Andre Iguodala. “But like I said, money is not my concern, I’m concerned with my joy and happiness. I made so much money — to be honest, I could live what I’ve made off forever.”
Despite the fact that he has gone year to year with the Warriors, Durant said today that it feels like he has been on a long-term deal with the team. Golden State will have Durant’s Early Bird rights this coming offseason, giving the franchise a little more flexibility to lock up the former No. 2 pick to a longer-term contract. It’s not clear whether or not that will happen, but the star forward suggested that sort of deal is probably in his future, per Slater.
“Financially, obviously, what I wanted to do last year, it made sense. Well, the last two years, it made sense to do the one-year deal,” Durant said. “I’m sure here soon I’ll want to sign a long-term deal just to feel stable. But I’m enjoying every moment of it, so I’m not trying to look too far down the line.”
“But like I said, money is not my concern, I’m concerned by my joy and happiness. I’ve made so much money – I could live if what I’ve made forever.”
Yet you’ll still sign for close to a max deal when a player like Klay is paid less than what he’s worth so you can “get yours”.
Let’s not beat him up. He could sign elsewhere for more…a lot more. And he’s well worth what he’s getting paid. Furthermore, why shouldn’t be make what he’s getting? Owners make a nice dime off him and he’s not responsible for what Klay is making. Klay signed his contract, and I’m sure he’ll get more when the time comes.
Your statement is off base I believe.
Klay has a contract there’s nothing they can do about it why pick him out to bash Durant?
What could be done was take care of in Iguadala and Livingston and Durant did exactly that.
Good to know your looking into your glass crystal ball. But in reality you don’t know what’s he’s going to sign.
“I’m gonna stay on Golden State until they fade, then I’m gonna join the team that has the best chances to win it all again”
Think you’re getting Durant confused with LeBron…
Like there’s a difference.
No that’s Durant
Would love to see Houston or OKC knock them off in the playoffs.
That’s not going to happen and those two teams will not add to what they have this summer to get stronger.
No Superstar is going to the Rockets. Chris Paul might even leave. If he can find a team with cap room so he can get his money.
OKC not only will they not get stronger, they will lose Paul George. They’ll get weaker.
My point being those are teams people don’t want to play for. The Warriors organization is where guys want to go. David West, Iguadala, Livingston, Pachulia, all taking less than what they could get elsewhere. Even Klay Thompson and Green took less yet Barnes didnt….. played out his option and chased a money contract. Money over winning was first Barnes. And that’s cool I might be the same way, if you love playing ball it doesn’t matter where. But other guys want to win especially after 10- 12 years.
If Houston was able to shed Anderson’s contact, it would be interesting.
Yes thats very true!!
Teams with cap space and want to splash in the open market don’t need a vet point guard. Based on the regular season success too, Paul will probably stay.
I would say Iggy’s 16 millions per year is clear overpay. There are reports that GSW overpaid to keep him.
Yes I agree and I guess it looks like I was saying these guys took discounts to stay in Golden state, but the original thought was Durant took less so the other veterans would stay.
The comment section is filled with fans of losing franchises that are salty. But that’s none of my business. KD is having a hell of a year.