Kevin Durant will be the biggest free agent on the market during the 2019 offseason and a return to the Warriors doesn’t appear to be a foregone conclusion, which means speculation about his decision will continue through the 2018/19 season. While Durant recognizes why that will happen, he told Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports that he’s hoping not to be constantly asked about it in the coming months.
“I know it’s easy to look at that type of [expletive] because it’s the entertainment side. But wait until the season is over with to analyze [free agency],” Durant said to Haynes. “I know it’s your job and it’s hard to say that, but try to shift some of your focus to the court, too. I know you have to still do your job and check on stuff like that, but every day? Every city I go to? Come on, man. I said what I had to say at media day. I understand your job, but let’s come to a little agreement. Don’t ask me every time you see me. If it’s the first time I’m seeing y’all, I don’t mind answering. But every time? Come on, bro.”
After winning back-to-back championships with the Warriors and earning consecutive Finals MVPs, Durant said that he doesn’t expect “anything extra” from the franchise this season as it tries to recruit him for a longer-term stay, adding, “I already know what this organization is about.”
While the Warriors will have Durant’s Bird rights at the end of the season, giving them the ability to offer a five-year worth up to a projected $221MM+, rival executives believe it may be possible to lure the 30-year-old away from the Bay Area. As Haynes details, the Knicks, Lakers, and Clippers are among the many teams with cap room who may have eyes for Durant. Sources tell Haynes that personnel from the Clippers, specifically, are expected to attend a “high number” of Warriors games this season.
[RELATED: Knicks viewed as a legit suitor for Kevin Durant]
Unless he’s willing to publicly commit to re-signing with the Warriors – like Kyrie Irving did with the Celtics – Durant won’t be able to stop the speculation, a fact he acknowledges. However, he suggests to Haynes that he may not be overly receptive to questions about his upcoming free agency if they continue all year long.
“It depends on how I feel that day,” Durant said. “If I’m in a [expletive]-up mood, you’re going to see. Ask me that question and you’re going to really see what mood I’m in.”
What if KD said screw it and went to a small market team?
That’s the clippers
KD is a different kind of cat. Wouldn’t be surprised if Jerry West pulled it off again and got him to the Clips.
What would be a single reason to go to the Clippers?
What would be a single reason to leave the Warriors?
But I do love Jerry West !!!
He was huge in building the Warriors.
The Warriors won a championship without Durant. If he wants to play the OKC game again, trade him to the Knicks for Knox, Robinson, Lee, picks or whatever. Get a Harrison Barnes type player and shore up the bench. Tell Durant we helped you out. You’re not doing to us what you did to Westbrook.
I take it Durant can’t be traded since he signed a one year contract. KD said there’s no such thing as loyalty in the NBA. He should know.
Kevin Durant’s brother speculates on twitter that he will stay with the Warriors at least 3 more years.
Durant did say in the Zach Lowe interview in June that he, Draymond, Steph, and Klay look out for each other and he loves the Warriors. He recently said this is the most he feels like he fits in with the Warriors. Klay, Draymond, and Steph have said they want to be with the Warriors long term. KD would save himself a lot of headaches if he would to,.
You comment wayyyy to much on here bro, starting to think your a burner for a gm lol. You post non sense 100% of the time
My nonsense comes from people with knowledge on the internet, unlike yours. For instance you said Hassan Whiteside is the best player on the Heat. You are a big Lakers fan. You know nothing about the east coast. You talked about the Lakers beating the Warriors twice in the preseason with their starters. Wrong. I know you want Durant on the Lakers bad. You should have read the June article from “The Athletic” posted by Luke talking about how the Warriors can afford to keep the Hampton Five for several years. My articles are not mine. I’m an extensive researcher. You might think it’s nonsense because you are a California Dreamer with a limited knowledge of basketball.
You care way too much about location my dude. Where soemone is from or who they root for doesn’t mean jack on how much they know. Also all of your points are opinions and there is nothing wrong with having differing opinions. You’re a fool Mio if you think otherwise
With the amount of fouls called on the Dubs last night, in addition to the constant media barrage that is trying to break up the team, it’s obvious where the NBA stands on the dynasty they have built.
The NBA doesn’t control the media. They wish they could.
Wrong. They have contracts with these media organizations that increase based on league popularity. Don’t kid yourself.
The nba built that team, what do you mean
captain cup cakes has no reason to move to another team where he’s required 30/10
KD will stay w/ G St AD will go to the Lakers!
And the warriors will not 3-peat!
AD won’t be available for trade until after July 1, 2019 and only if he declines his extension, and New Orleans decides to trade him. If they don’t, he can’t opt out of his contract until July 1, 2020. AD won’t be traded this year. Warriors want to 3 peat because it’s their last year in Oakland. They said so.
Your from Los Angeles too. Here’s a laugher, and Luke can correct me if I’m wrong. New Orleans won’t know if Anthony Davis will accept his extension until after July 1, 2019. This means a trade would be based off Davis 2019-20 salary of $27.5mm. After LeBron the Lakers entire roster salary would be just under $25mm, meaning the Lakers would have to trade their entire roster minus LeBron for AD. The new free agent salaries couldn’t be used until December 2019 at the earliest which would be the earliest date the Lakers could trade for him. It’s very highly unlikely the Lakers can match salaries for AD.
I didn’t say I knew people on the internet. I said the articles I read have people who have knowledge. I know zero people on the internet. Like Luke and his writers, I read A LOT.
And then a topic comes along that might, for a person projecting really hard, have some distant connection to Lebron, and you freak out. And he’s not even on a rival team anymore. At that point, so much for your research, as reaction takes over.
You were supposed to be posting links!
He’s going to LA to play with Lebron. I could smell it like coffee in the morning.