Kevin Durant is unquestionably one of the best players of his generation. So when Durant ruptured his right Achilles after trying to return to help the Golden State Warriors overcome a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals, it was a truly devastating blow to the game of basketball.
Durant is slated to miss all of the 2019-20 season, robbing both him and NBA fans a full year of his utter brilliance and spectacular scoring prowess on the floor.
The other element to Durant's injury is the question that seemed to follow him throughout the season: what will happen in free agency?
Durant has a player option for the 2019-20 season with the Warriors, and his injury has brought with it questions about the teams that will be willing to offer him a max contract.
In an article by Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic, an anonymous NBA executive said that it would be foolish for any team not to throw all their efforts into signing Durant in free agency:
“I think it’s a no-brainer,” the executive said. “It’d be one thing if he wasn’t skilled like he is. He’s one of the most skilled guys in the NBA… The guy is so fucking skilled, even if he loses a step he’ll be fine.”
Even if he does indeed miss all of next season, Durant will only be 32 entering the 2020-21 season, which is still fairly young for a player of his caliber.
As the executive mentions, Durant's absurd combination of size and perimeter skills should still be perfectly intact following his recovery from the injury. Contrary to someone like Derrick Rose — whose game was built mostly on his athleticism — Durant has the tools that make him an elite player no matter the circumstance.
Follow Us
Subscribe