Kevin Durant has already said he will re-sign with the Warriors this summer, but it will likely be for a significantly higher salary than his previous contract. During an appearance on the Warriors Plus/Minus podcast, Durant addressed his decision to take a $10MM pay cut last summer, which helped enable Golden State to comfortably re-sign Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston.
Durant said that money has never been a driving force behind his decisions and he is more focused on playing well and dealing with contractual matters later. However, Durant also noted that he does not want to set a precedent for himself where the team can take advantage of him in future negotiations.
“I thought that, at that time, it was a good deal,” Durant said of his 2017/18 contract. “But that’s not setting a good precedent for me if I’m like, ‘Man, I’m taking [a $10MM discount].’ Now, they’re going to start taking advantage of me. You know what I’m saying? I know it’s a business, too. So, I’ve got a business to handle as well.”
For his part, Durant has put himself in position for another significant payday this offseason. In 68 games, he averaged 26.4 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 5.4 APG for the Warriors.
Check out more Pacific Division notes below:
- Per a report from yesterday, the Warriors expect to have two-time Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry for their Game 2 matchup against the Pelicans on Tuesday. Curry missed the first-round series against the Spurs — which Golden State won 4-1 — and was “50-50” heading into Saturday’s Game 1.
- Milos Teodosic came to the Clippers this past season as one of the most popular and decorated players in Europe. While his first season was mired with injuries, his prolific passing ability was on display. Also, when healthy, the Clippers were 29-16 with Teodosic on the court, according to the Clippers’ website.
- With the Thunder eliminated from the postseason, the focus now shifts to the Lakers pursuing top-tier free agents – including Paul George – to team up with their young studs, Mark Heisler of the Orange County Register writes.
His $26 million salary is them taking advantage of him? Money is not a driving force in the decision? Pure BS.
It’s fine to be greedy, because that is what pro sports is all about now. But at least be man enough to admit it and don’t try to come off like a victim.
You dont get it do you?
Before you answer back let me mention this. He left 10 freaking million dollars on the table. In a day and age when everybody is out to get theirs I believe that was being extremely unselfish.
People can talk a good game but leaving your wallet out there is truly an indicator of an unselfish personality. Just go out to lunch with your buddies and you’ll see who’s unselfish and who isn’t. It irks me when people look at Durants 26 mil salary and then unselfish talk comes up… and they laugh or criticize.
Apparently you don’t get it. If you think taking a 26 million dollar salary is unselfish, you really need to take a walk outside and join the real world. He didn’t leave 10 million on the table, he took 26 million off that table.
Difference in philosophies. This is not the place to discuss and go down that road.
I respect your opinion and and understand that there are others that don’t think the way I do. Fair enough and I do respect and appreciate your basketball knowledge.
How much money do you want the 2nd best player in the world to make? He took a pay cut. take it anyway you want but he’s not getting the money he should be.
He’s just a rare dude that puts happiness and great work environment over a measly 10 million bucks. We also forget these top guys make 10, 20 million or more (LeBron 30+) on shoe deals too…., per year.
Did you even listen to the podcast? He wasn’t coming off like a victim. If you listened to the whole podcast and his actual words about the contract, you’d understand that he was just taking about not wanting to have the decision he made on his last contract set a precedent going forward.
Durant is worth the max on any team, but he has been blessed to have gotten to a point in his professional career and personal development where he is able to foreground his happiness. Wouldn’t we all love to be there? He’s determined that money is less important than playing basketball where and with whom and how he wants. He’s excited to be able to learn everyday and develop as a player and a be man on his own terms, rather than just doing what he’s told to do. He chose to take less to keep a team together that he loved playing with, but he’s making it clear that teams shouldn’t expect a discount moving forward. There’s nothing greedy about expectations for a competitive salary, especially when you earn it. Moreover, he’s incredibly generous with his money and has supported community and children wherever he’s played.
I just don’t understand constant stream of bilious commentary. It seems like some people just float in saltwater waiting for a chance to twist every action and statement of his into something ugly. What’s up with that? In every interview and the way he carries himself anyone can see that he’s a mature, grounded, hard working guy who absolutely loves basketball, and happens to be really good at playing it.
You his agent or his mother?
Real World called, and said you’re fired as spokesman. Said wage contract prices are set at what someone else will pay, unless the contractee wants to leave money on the table.
What you make means squat.
Could Lebron and Durant possibly join the Lakers? That would absolutely shake the NBA for 5 years. I’m not even a Lebron fan but it’s not impossible, Durant wouldn’t have to make a huge transition from Golden State to LA and Lebron and Durant have done a commercial together. If Magic wants to get the Lakers back to elite status that would be the move that would do it.
Dionis, LBJ and Durant have done a commercial together and as such should team up? By that logic, Yogi Berra should have taken over the starting PG duties for the mid-2000’s Rockets after doing a commercial with Yao.
Durant is staying in Oakland, and the chances of LBJ ending up in LA are small.
The Warriors aren’t staying in Oakland, so where are you going with this?
The move is 20 minutes across the water. Where are you going with this? They’re not moving across the state or across the country like the Raiders or Rams or bunch of other teams.. ..
K
I’m just gonna start this
Kawhi or PG?
Who makes us better over time with our current ability to sign someone?
Granted; KL would be a trade situation
Leonard
Lakers are getting them both. PG through free agency with LeBron and Kawhi through a trade Spurs getting whoever they want Ingram kuzma don’t matter. I’m a Warriors fan and not and in the clouds dreammy Laker fan but I can see this happening …..trying to match up a super team. LeBron already did it once.
I hope the Lakers don’t get PG. On the fence about LBJ, wouldn’t mind Leonard if the price isn’t half the Lakers young guys.
KD pretty much talking about not ending up like D-Wade and the Heat, based on that quote. I still dont get why he took that huge pay cut. Him being paid would not have precluded GS from keeping AI or Livingston, and it wasn’t like they could use the difference on another player, with them being in the luxury tax as they are. Felt more like him just helping out billionaire owners. No reason KD shouldn’t get the max he can, same as anyone else in his position