We’re still six days from NBA Free Agency’s sorta kinda start — remember, there’s still a moratorium period, except this time its ending at 12:01 a.m. on July 7, instead of July 12 like the last several seasons — and we’re already tired of Kevin Durant talk.
In Oklahoma, the Governor has gotten involved, and the Thunder will likely be one of his first meetings, as will as their direct rivals. The Knicks are looking to be involved, but so will any team who thinks there’s even a soupçon of a chance they can land the wiry superstar. The Warriors remain a dangerous alternative should KD decide against staying with the only franchise he’s known since being drafted by the then-Sonics (RIP) in 2007.
Now, a local Sports reporter for KWTV News 9 in Oklahoma City, Dean Blevins, is saying that, with the addition of Victor Oladipo in the draft night trade sending Serge Ibaka to Orlando, as well as Ersan Ilyasova and rookie Domantas Sabonis, sources inside Durant’s camp are saying he’s going to stay and even sign a five-year, max deal. The juicy stuff starts with around 1:30 remaining in the below video.
It bears repeating, if you don’t already know, but the Thunder — with Durant’s Bird Rights — are the only team able to offer him that fifth year, and a larger percentage increase (7.5) year-on-year over the length of the deal.
Except, the most popular believe is that Durant signs a two-year deal with a player option for the second year so he can opt out next summer. Lets not forget why a two-year deal is so attractive to KD. Next season will be Durant’s tenth in the NBA, and that’s the final tier for maximum allowable deals, which means it can be up to 35 percent of the cap, rather than the 30 percent of the cap it’ll be if he signs a max deal this summer.
On top of that, the cap sky-rockets next summer to well over $100 million AND Russell Westbrook will also be a free agent. That timing just makes too much sense, and it’s why many analysts, media members and hardcore fans feel that’s what he’ll eventually decide to do when the free agency feting has reached its natural conclusion.
But, according to Blevins, Durant might forgo another year of annoying free agency questions and lock up his future for the next half decade in the coming weeks. We’ll see, but it’s not as crazy to imagine despite all the financial reasons he shouldn’t. If there’s one thing you can definitely say about Kevin Durant, it’s that he’s loyal. Loyal to his family, and loyal to his second family in Oklahoma City — the only franchise family he’s known in the NBA for his career.
