When Kevin Durant reaches free agency in 2019, there’s a chance he could be coming off a third straight championship — and maybe even a third consecutive NBA Finals MVP award. Durant already has two of each under his belt, and remains one of the league’s very best players, on a team considered the overwhelming favorite to win the title.
Throw in the fact that Durant will have full Bird rights in 2019, giving him the opportunity to sign a five-year contract worth up to a projected $221MM, and it’s hard to imagine why he’d leave the Warriors, who would have the ability to cement their legacy as one of the NBA’s best teams of all-time as long as they keep racking up titles.
Still, Durant hasn’t committed to the Warriors at all beyond 2018/19, leading to ongoing speculation that he could jump ship at season’s end. The uncertainty surrounding the former MVP played a part in Monday’s altercation between Durant and Draymond Green, who reportedly let out his frustrations during the back-and-forth over the way his teammate has handled his upcoming free agency.
Durant’s free agency will be fascinating for a number of reasons, particularly if the Warriors win the championship again this season. It’s hard to imagine a star player who has won three consecutive titles with a team leaving his organization for a lesser contender. On the other hand, several big-market NBA franchises will have cap room for a max-salary player in 2019, creating some tantalizing possibilities for Durant, who may be ready for a new challenge.
If he’s interested in teaming up with LeBron James and trying to win titles for the league’s most iconic franchise, the Lakers could be appealing. Their Los Angeles rivals, the Clippers, are being run by a effective management team that includes owner Steve Ballmer and veteran executive Jerry West, and would provide Durant an opportunity to be the unquestioned star of an L.A. franchise. The Knicks will have Kristaps Porzingis back, and the idea of playing in Madison Square Garden and turning around a moribund franchise may intrigue Durant and Rich Kleiman, his agent and business partner, who grew up as a Knicks fan.
Several other teams around the NBA will also have cap space in 2019, creating a plethora of viable options for Durant, depending on what his priorities are. Of course, he initially chose the Warriors because he wanted to win and because he wanted to live in the Bay Area, and those factors still arguably make Golden State his best option — especially with the team set to move into its new San Francisco arena next season.
What do you think? Is this Durant’s last season with the Warriors or will he still be playing for the Dubs next season at this time? Vote below in our poll, then head to the comment section to share your two cents.
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They all play 1 more season together after this one. I may be wrong, but I’ve been thinking that for 2 years, so I’ll stick with it
Anyone voting yes is in denial lol
This is funny coming from an LA fan
He’s as good as gone. Obviously Draymond knows more than most and he just played his cards that KD is for sure leaving with his emotional outburst. It’s not even up for debate.
Are you saying he was mad because he thinks KD is leaving? That’s a stretch for a grown man. He has to be more aware that he will get squeezed out of his legacy team if KD stays.
I don’t think he’s mad because KD is leaving. He was mad because he got called out in front of everyone, and let the truth slip of KD leaving because of it.
Nailed it.
Sorry but Lakers are not the leagues most iconic franchise—that is shared with the Celtics. Poor journalism.
Exactly. What the hell even is a “Laker”? Somebody who lives near a lake?
At one time they were the Minneapolis Lakers and kept the Lakers name. Same as NY Giants, the home is in NJ so the why? The same thing, not quite.
The Lakers and Celtics are thee most iconic sports franchises in basketball.
How exactly is it poor journalism when it’s true. Just because he didn’t mention the Celtics doesn’t mean he is wrong.
The best way to measure it would be to poll people who don’t follow sports to see which ones they’ve heard of.
I’d assume more of those space cadets would know the LA Lakers than the Boston Celtics.
Say something like 11% don’t know either
89% know LA Lakers
87% know Boston Celtics
82% know both
Crazy to think that those numbers might be inflated but prob pretty accurate.
I used to say no, so he could build his legacy apart from what others had already established at GSW. He is able to win anywhere he goes, while Klay & Draymond don’t have that kind of impact and if they leave, may become also-rans.
Now I’m guessing that GSW will sacrifice Green via trade as a way to create obligation with KD & he will stay.
GSW won without him and will be able to do it again as long the team doesn’t start moving and replacing the parts that make this motor work. KD just made it a little easier. I would hope he stays and not be a team jumper like James.
” I would hope he stays and not be a team jumper like James.”
Crazy that Golden State drafted KD
He is going to HOU, he owes Harden a ring and will gladly go get him one when Harden, Paul, and Capela will make it extremely easy for him to do so. Would give anything for WAS to flip Wall so he go get go his stomping ground right and get DC a ring but that is never going to happen.
It’s anyone’s guess, but obviously the poll is going to lean heavily on no because no one besides Warrior fans want to see such a ridiculous team stick together
Kd leaves and dubs keep boogie and still roll up rest of league. Foh KD
Yeah just sign klay, draymond and boogie to 30+ mil contracts. Probably not gonna happen lol
Kd is a pop tart – hard shell exterior but mushy inside. He can take his ball and go. Trying to act tuff when he the softest dude in league
Kd can go and dubs will resign boogie and still roll up everybody. Foh Kd wit all that sensitivity
Kd belongs in WNBA
I bet he already posted on here defending himself wit one of his burner accounts. Smash
Smdh*
Personally I prefer DMC as a player than KD, just enjoy much more his game (ok haters have a go at me now) so I wouldn’t be upset if he goes & because of that GSW can keep DMC, if he can get back to be the player he was, might make the Warriors a better team with his skill set. As a dominating center would bring a different dimension to this team. The worry is that anyway it doesn’t matter if KD stays or goes, it will be very difficult for the Warriors to keep winning as Livingston & Iggy won’t be there next year, Curry is always injured… I think is the beginning of the end. But it has been great for the Bay area fans, well deserved.