Following a whirlwind of a postseason, ending in the his first NBA title and a Finals Most Valuable Player award, Kevin Durant will now have a free-agency period to look forward to — one the Golden State Warriors will have to tactically tackle in order to get the desired results.
Durant had previously said during the playoff run that he'd be willing to take less money in order to keep the team's core intact, allowing for the signing of veterans Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston.
This would require Durant to take a similar deal as the one that he took last offseason, a one-plus-one contract that will see him get a 20 percent raise for each season — an action which would allow the signing of both veterans without the need to fit their All-Star into cap space ($127 million annual cap), per Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News.
The Slim Reaper would then set himself up for a four-year, $160 million contract, as Golden State would only have his “Early-Bird” rights, not allowing for the supermax of a five-year, $205 million, which sidekick Stephen Curry is a sure-shot to get next month.
Curry is likely to be the last to have his deal announced, as the Warriors will look to fit every loose end under wraps before inking Curry to a massive amount that can put things past the point of no return.
Iguodala is expected to sign a deal within $8-12 million per year, while Livingston's re-signing could be a toss up, according to his flexibility. He's expressed his desire to stay with the team, but has never had a relative big payday in the league — making it more of a question due to his high value as an unrestricted free agent.
If Livingston is also signed, the Warriors will be back in the same situation as last offseason, able to only offer veteran minimums to players like David West, JaVale McGee and others.
Follow Us
Subscribe