If not for the presence of LeBron James, Kevin Durant would be seen, at least by many, as the best player in the NBA and the reigning two-time NBA Finals MVP hit the unrestricted free agent market beginning at 12:01 am ET on July 1. However, Durant was never seen as a serious flight risk from Oakland and, in the end, the 29-year-old forward decided to ink a new contract to remain with the Warriors.
Marc Stein of The New York Times reported on Saturday that Durant will ask the Warriors for another two-year deal, with a second year player option to remain with the team for at least one more season.
The new deal would pay Durant $30.5 million next season and allow the two-time reigning Finals MVP to return to free agency in July 2019 — three months before Golden State moves into the new Chase Center in San Francisco https://t.co/Q3qklVsrkz
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2018
That was confirmed by Chris Haynes of ESPN shortly after, making this an all-but official deal for when the moratorium period ends on July 6.
Kevin Durant intends to sign a two-year max deal with a player option to stay with Golden State, league sources tell ESPN.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 1, 2018
Durant averaged 26.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game last season and he converted a remarkable 41.9 percent of his three-point attempts while taking full advantage of the space Golden State’s offense provides. Though there was some parade-driven awkwardness with regard to his next contract, various members of the Warriors organization (including Durant himself) indicated a desire to make it work moving forward and, frankly, that made this particular move a no-brainer.
Stein reported shortly after midnight that the two-year deal is projected to be worth $61.5 million if Durant picks up his option for the second year.
Kevin Durant and the Warriors have now verbally agreed on their expected new two-year deal worth $61.5 million and featuring a player option in Year 2 that allows Durant to return to free agency in July 2019, according to league sources.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2018
Moving forward, there will be plenty of interesting decisions for Golden State’s front office, particularly once Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are in line for monetary raises that could create serious luxury tax concerns. Still, Durant is on board once again and that makes the Warriors a pretty safe bet to compete for a fourth NBA Championship over a five-year period.