One of the worst-kept secrets of the 2017 NBA Free Agency period has been that Kevin Durant would remain with the Golden State Warriors. Now, that looks to be even more assured, as Durant has agreed to sign a deal that will save the franchise some money. Sam Amick of USA Today Sports reported that Durant will make $25 million next season, which is a ton of cash, but it’s nowhere near as much as he could have gotten paid.
Kevin Durant's Warriors contract expected to be $25 million, I’m told, with player option for 2017-18. Max was $34.5 mil. Major sacrifice.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 3, 2017
Amick also was quick note that the player option is, of course, for after the 2017-18 season, while Chris Haynes of ESPN got the full details of the deal.
Typo on option, obviously. Durant will sign a one-plus-one, with a player option for 2018-19. $25 million 1st yr (Max would've been 34.5)
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 3, 2017
ESPN Sources: Kevin Durant will agree to re-sign with Golden State on a two-year, approximately $53 million deal, league sources tell ESPN.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 3, 2017
The reigning NBA Finals MVP and eight-time All-Star averaged 25.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game during his first season with the Warriors in 2016-2017. Durant completed his tenth season in the NBA and produced his highest field goal percentage (53.7 percent) while appearing in 63 regular season games for Golden State.
As The Mercury News reported earlier today, Durant’s “discount” made it easier for the Warriors to bring two of their other free agents during this cycle back.
The exact figure is being worked out now, but Durant’s willingness to take even less than his expected 20 percent bump is how the Warriors were able to sign Andre Iguodala for $48 million and Shaun Livingston for $24 million, both over three years.
Between those two signings and Steph Curry getting a massive deal, a lot of money has been spent by Golden State’s front office this summer. It could have been a bit worse of not for Kevin Durant.
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