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ESPN analyst and longtime Kevin Durant confidant Jay Williams won't pretend he knows where the Golden State Warriors forward will land this summer, after an unforeseen torn Achilles tendon changed the scope of his much-awaited free agency.
Williams noted Durant must first “recalibrate” his stance by addressing the injury, and then go back to the board to decide his future — claiming he must do whatever is best for him.
Article Continues Below“I think Kevin right now is still trying to deal with post-surgery,” Williams said Tuesday at a Madison Avenue Draft event, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. “That’s his first and foremost thing. You do what you do to your Achilles on that stage, it takes a minute to recalibrate. You can’t just go back to business. But Kevin has to make the best decision for Kevin. I’ve told him that. Rich Kleiman has told him that.”
Durant was expected to be a foregone conclusion to land with the New York Knicks, yet recent whispers of the Brooklyn Nets' interest in Kyrie Irving along with the potential of remaining with the Warriors to rehabilitate his injury, have changed the domino effect of this free agency period.
While the choice could have been clear cut had he stayed healthy, this injury throws yet another wrench in Durant's potential free agency, as he's likely to miss part, if not all of the 2019-20 season.
“Kevin coming back (in Game 5) shows he’s kind of like the people’s champ,” said Williams of Durant's injury upon returning from a calf strain in the NBA Finals. “He always wants to win no matter what. He’ll sacrifice his body. I think it’s now time for Kevin to do what’s in the best interest of Kevin Durant.”
Durant has until June 29 to opt out of the last season of his two-year deal with the Warriors, but until then, Durant's next stop is likely to remain a mystery.
