The 2019 NBA free agency is shaping up as a crossroad for Kevin Durant. The decision he will make come June 30 will be life-changing, and it will be so whether he elects to remain a Warrior or look for fresh adventures elsewhere. In making up his mind and where he places his bet, KD knows his future is at stake.
In all likelihood, the course Durant will take points nowhere else but in the Bay Area, and this despite the persistent rumors that tempting possibilities can be found in New York, in Brooklyn and even in Los Angeles. But at the end of the day, the Warriors will remain Durant's team, and likely it will stay that way to the day he hangs up his jersey.
For starters, the Warriors front office and Durant remain in good terms, which contradict the recent reports that KD is mad and blames his team for the torn Achilles that will keep him out of action for at least a year. According to NBC Sports, there is no breakdown of trust between the Dubs and KD's camp, pointing to the recent analysis shared by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
"If there were a breakdown in trust, you would imagine that Kevin Durant's camp and the Warriors would not be in communication. And they have been in communication," the ESPN analyst was reported as saying.
In the same vein, Wojnarowski is convinced the two parties will talk things out soon as he dismissed the suggestions that Durant is keeping his distance from the Warriors management. "There's no indication that they have been shunned by KD. I don't believe that's the case," the analyst stressed.
Along this line, the New York Post said the Warriors are gearing up to make their case before Durant. Should the two quarters sit down soon, the GSW is clear on one thing - they want KD to stay and this came directly from head coach Steve Kerr.
"I have no idea what Kevin's going to do. I know that we all want him back. We think this is a great situation for him and vice versa. So hopefully we get him back and keep this thing going, with the understanding that he's a free agent and we want what's best for him and he's free to make any choice he wants," Kerr was reported as saying.
Such initiatives coming from Kerr and the Warriors front office were obviously designed to make Durant stay. And it makes sense that he favors his current team. It is expected that KD will be offered a five-year super-max worth $220 million.
If Durant opts to take his business elsewhere, he can only get a four-year deal that will pay a maximum of $164 million. The choice should be easy for KD.
In addition to the promised windfall, it is the long-term security that will prevent Durant from bolting out of the Warriors' camp, according to Forbes. By staying put, KD will not only enjoy security but also flexibility, including the possibility of dictating the terms of the rumored delayed sign-and-trade that will be presented before him.
And there will be a bonus for Durant and one is the guarantee of collecting no less than $50 million at the close of the super-max deal, no matter where he would be by that time, the Forbes report added.
