The Golden State Warriors will open their new arena in San Francisco in the 2019-20 season, and people within the organization believe superstar Kevin Durant wants to spend at least one year playing in the new shiny stadium.

Durant re-signed with the Warriors in July on a one-plus-one deal, meaning he can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2019 if he declines his 2019-20 player-option with Golden State. The nine-time All-Star will make $30 million this season and $31.5 million for the option year in 2019 if he picks it up. Many expect Durant to decline that option and enter the open market since more money will be available to him.

There has been speculation of Kevin Durant leaving the Warriors if he wins his third-straight title this season. However, Marc Stein of the New York Times is reporting that may not be the case.

The other 29 teams are thus bound to draw hope from the recent widespread rumbles that Durant will seriously consider signing with the Knicks next summer. Yet my own sense, after some temperature-taking in Vegas, is that more people within the organization than not believe Durant ultimately wants to enjoy at least one season in Golden State’s new San Francisco palace after spending so much off-court time in his first two seasons immersing himself in the Silicon Valley culture.

The Warriors have to brace for the worst, of course, but I don’t sense much Durant apprehension yet.

Since joining the Warriors in 2016, Kevin Durant has won two championships and two Finals MVPs. Barring something unforeseen, Durant and the Warriors are likely going to win the title again this season. At some point, Durant has to look for a new challenge, right? Only time will tell, but it appears Durant might want to play in the Chase Center for one season.