Kevin Durant was rumored to be taking a significant pay cut in order to help the Golden State Warriors stay together, and boy, is he ever.
According to ESPN’s Chris Hayne, he’s going to sign a two-year deal worth $53 million.
ESPN Sources: Kevin Durant will agree to re-sign with Golden State on a two-year, approximately $53 million deal, league sources tell ESPN.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 3, 2017
Essentially, it’s a one-year deal worth $25 million with a player option.
Kevin Durant's $25 million salary is $9.5 million less than his max, $6.8 less than expected and $1.54 million less than he made last year.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) July 3, 2017
While $25 million for one season is a huge amount to us average folks, let’s consider that Durant’s teammate, Stephen Curry just inked a five-year deal worth $201 million.
Durant is giving Golden State a huge discount that will help the Warriors continue to keep their core group of players intact. Especially when you consider that Durant was the biggest key to the Warriors nearly sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2017 NBA Finals, earning MVP honors.
The Warriors are not going to be taking any steps backwards in terms of talent heading into the 2017-18 season. While the rest of the west is going bonkers trying to catch up, Golden State is kicking back, enjoying the fruits of their labor.