Durant settles for less $ as expected
Kevin Durant was drawn to the Warriors largely by the unselfishness he witnessed. In that spirit, his biggest assist might be coming this month.
Durant, according to multiple sources, is not just passing on the new maximum contract he could get, which would start at $34.65 million. His plan is to also pass on taking the maximum raise he is eligible for, which would start his salary at $31.6 million.
Durant is expected to sign a two-year, $53 million contract, a source confirmed. The exact details of his new contract were first reported by ESPN. His first-year salary will be $25 million, nearly $10 million less than what he could have gotten. The second year is a player option, which Durant is expected to decline and sign a new maximum contract.
Durant’s willingness to take even less is how the Warriors were able to sign Andre Iguodala for $48 million and Shaun Livingston for $24 million, both over three years. Combined, Iguodala and Livingston will make some $24 million next season. The Warriors were perhaps willing to pay them that much because Durant — who has made more than $135 million in his NBA career, not counting endorsement earnings — made it clear he was willing to lower his 201718 salary even more. In essence, he is gifting part of his salary to his teammates.
Billups rejects Cavs
After discussing a lead role in the front office of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chauncey Billups withdrew from consideration yesterday. The former All-Star guard had been in discussions with Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert about joining the reigning Eastern Conference champions, but Billups said the “timing just isn’t right.”
The Cavs have been looking for a general manager since David Griffin parted with the club just before the draft. Griffin helped guide Cleveland to three straight NBA Finals appearances but could not resolve issues with Gilbert, who has yet to give a contract extension to any of the four GMs who have worked for him since 2005.
Lakers control Ball
The Los Angeles Lakers have signed first-round draft picks Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart. The Lakers formalized the deals yesterday. Ball is expected to make $33.4 million over four years in his contract slot as the second overall pick. . . .
The Charlotte Hornets signed first-round draft pick Malik Monk, the 11th choice in the draft. . . .
The Phoenix Suns declined a team option on Leandro Barbosa, saving the team $3.5 million in salary cap space. The 34-yearold had a $4 million contract for next season, with $500,000 guaranteed. . . .
Keith Appling, who had two brief contracts with the Orlando Magic, is expected to serve jail time in Michigan after pleading guilty to carrying a concealed weapon and resisting police charges.