Kevin Durant‘s near-$10-million pay cut has proven to be the ultimate blessing for the Golden State Warriors, making them able to comprise yet another strong roster in an offseason full of questions.
Not only was the Warriors' front office able to retain all of their key free agents, but also add talent at minimum cost — coupling that with the draft additions of University of Oregon rookies Jordan Bell and Chris Boucher.
Head coach Steve Kerr compared Durant's generosity to that of former teammate Tim Duncan, another max-player who took a significant shave in his royalties when it came time to retain key free agents that were part of the San Antonio Spurs‘ winning formula.
“I knew he was going to give up enough money to allow us to keep Andre [Iguodala] and Shaun [Livingston]. I didn't know he was going to go beyond that. A remarkable gesture,” Kerr told Mike Chiari of Bleacher Report. “I told him it reminded me a little bit of Tim Duncan and his time with the Spurs. He made max money and then at key times in his career he took a little less so they could add a player here and there.”
“The way the league works, the way the CBA works, it really kind of is up to the star player at key times to take a little haircut here and there. Whether that's fair or not, I don't know. But I do know that Tim knew it was dramatically helping his own career and KD understands the same thing. In the end, he's going to make a fortune in his career. Already has and he hopefully is going to win more titles and that's what he cares about.”
Golden State managed to retain Stephen Curry, Iguodala, Livingston, David West, and Zaza Pachulia, adding gunner Nick Young with the mid-level exception of $5.2 million and Omri Casspi with the veteran minimum of $2.3 million. The team's roster is at 14, with one remaining spot, which could signify a possible return for JaVale McGee if he chooses to take the minimum — more than a 20 percent raise over his last one-year salary.
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