Fresh off his first NBA title with the Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant entered free agency this summer with an opportunity to sign a max contract.
However, Durant elected to sign a two-year, $51.5 million deal with around $10 million less than the max base annual salary. According to Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post, general manager Bob Myers has once again praised the reigning NBA Finals MVP for taking a significant pay cut to help the team.
When Kevin Durant asked Bob Myers what he wanted him to do to try to help bring other FAs back, Myers said, "I just want you to come back."
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) September 22, 2017
"It's unusual. It says something about who he is, because all he wants to do is win." – Bob Myers on Durant taking several mil less than max
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) September 22, 2017
Durant could have easily commanded a max contract similar to teammate Stephen Curry but decided to take a short-term deal in order to best help the Warriors continue to put the best team on the floor. This unselfishness played a big part in the team being able to re-sign many of its own free agents such as Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston, David West, Zaza Pachulia, and JaVale McGee.
This could be a pivotal move to helping keep Golden State in the title picture over the next few seasons with their core group still intact under contract. It also allows for Durant to potentially enter the market next summer with the chance to sign the long-term lucrative deal that he desires.
The Warriors have constructed a team that could simply become the league's next dynasty with the potential to earn a few more NBA titles, and Durant's actions could prove to be pivotal to that coming to fruition.
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