Durant takes $9 million pay cut to remain with Warriors
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The Golden State Warriors & Finals MVP Kevin Durant will agree to a two year $53 million deal that allows for a player option in 2018.
League sources tell ESPN he is likely to opt out again in the summer of 2018 in order to re-work the teams inevitable cap issue that comes with having 4 all-stars on the team.
The Golden state Warriors opened free agency by securing their face of the franchise in Steph Curry doesn't go anywhere for a while. Curry received the largest contract in NBA HIstory with a $201 million deal over 5 years. Former Finals MVP Andre Iguodala has also been re-signed, as well as backup PG Shaun Livington.
Perhaps Shaun Livingston had the best quote of them all when he said “You can't put a price on happiness”, which seems to be Durant's mindset as well, considering he left $9 million on the table by not receiving a max deal.
Golden State is still interested in retaining JaVale McGee, a source told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. McGee, who had a resurgent year for the Warriors on a veteran minimum deal, is also drawing interest from the Clippers, Suns and Heat.
Meanwhile Swaggy P has been enjoying the treatment he's seen by Warriors players as part of their recruitment to join the championship team. Video's have surfaced of him with Draymond Green and Javale Mcgee this offseason. One would think after his fiasco with D'angelo Russell and Iggy the last thing he'd want is to be recorded.
Nonetheless the Warriors are making moves to keep their talent, while the rest of the NBA is scrambling to add talent. The real question is has any team done enough to close the gap?