As expected, Durant re-ups with Warriors
One day shy of a year after announcing his decision to join the powerful Warriors, Kevin Durant accepted a major pay cut to help make sure they stay winners and chase more championships.
Durant wants to build a dynasty alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, agreeing to terms Monday on a contract worth approximately $53 million over the next two years. A person with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed the details to The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because it won’t become official until the end of the free agency moratorium period Thursday.
The deal calls for about $25 million in the first year with a player option for the second season.
As he planned all along to provide the Warriors with financial flexibility, Durant waited as Golden State general manager Bob Myers signed the other free agents — Curry for a record $201 million over five years; 2015 Finals MVP Andre Iguodala on a three-year contract with $48 million guaranteed; fellow key reserves Shaun Livingston for $24 million and three years, and David West on a one-year deal for the veteran minimum $2.3 million.
Durant declined Thursday to opt in for the $27.7 million second year of his previous deal with the Warriors and became an unrestricted free agent. The move was expected as Durant did his part to keep the core of the star-studded roster intact. He could have signed a max deal that would have paid him millions more next season.
When the season ended, Durant made it clear he wasn’t going anywhere. The 28-yearold had been projected to earn a 20 percent raise over the $26.5 million he made last season, which would have been about $31.8 million.
Durant missed 19 games with a left knee injury before returning late in the regular season then declared he would take his game to another level come playoff time.
He sure did. Durant averaged 28.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists and shot 55.6 percent, scoring more than 30 points in nine of his 15 games. He also emerged as a smothering defender, handling much of the load against LeBron James during the Finals. The Warriors beat James and the Cavaliers in five games for their second title in three seasons, and Durant’s first after he departed Oklahoma City to join a super team. The former All-Star guard had been in discussions with Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert about joining the 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 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.
Billups met with Gilbert in Detroit and Cleveland. The 40-yearold does not have any front-office experience, but his solid reputation attracted him to Gilbert, who has known him since he played for the Pistons. It is believed Gilbert asked Billups to be the president of basketball operations.
Billups released a statement to ESPN on his decision. He’s an analyst for the network.
“I have great respect for Dan Gilbert and the Cleveland Cavaliers, and I greatly appreciate the discussions we had regarding their organization,” Billups said. “As I have conveyed before, ultimately I would like to lead a team’s basketball operation and be a part of a successful franchise. But presently, the timing just isn’t right to delve into that role in Cleveland. In the meantime, I will continue to focus on broadcasting and my other business endeavors.”