Kevin Durant is planning to sign a four-year, $164 million max contract with the Brooklyn Nets, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
It speaks of Durant's standing on the league's individual hierarchy that he was able to secure the longest and most lucrative contract possible in free agency despite rupturing his Achilles tendon in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, an injury that's among the most difficult from which to recover. But in the thick of his prime at 30-years-old with a game more reliant on length and skill than explosion and overall athleticism, Durant should nevertheless remain among the game's most valuable offensive players whenever he gets re-acclimated after returning to the floor, even if he's a half step slower than before.
The two-time Finals MVP enjoyed another dominant yet underrated campaign in 2018-19, averaging 26.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game on elite shooting efficiency. He was playing arguably the best basketball of his career through the first 11 games of the playoffs, averaging 34.2 points on a ridiculous true shooting percentage of 65.2, before going down with a hamstring injury in the second round against the Houston Rockets. Durant missed Golden State's next eight games, returning to dominate the early portion of Game 5 against the Toronto Raptors before falling to the floor and grabbing at his lower right leg after isolating on Serge Ibaka. The extent of his injury was confirmed after the game.
Rumors of Durant's potential partnership with Kyrie Irving, who agreed to terms with the Nets on Sunday evening, began running rampant in the lead up to free agency. Whether Durant plays toward the end of 2019-20 or not, he and Irving flanked by a supporting cast of Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, Jarrett Allen , and Joe Harris should have Brooklyn poised to compete for championships for years to come.
Durant also considered the Warriors, LA Clippers, and New York Knicks in free agency.
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