Durant to opt out, then re-sign
Deal reportedly will give Warriors room with cap space.
Kevin Durant reportedly is declining his player option for the 2017-18 season with the intention of re-signing with the NBA champion Golden State Warriors.
Durant opted out of about $28 million to become a free agent briefly, but plans on rejoining the team.
The All-Star forward reportedly plans to take about $4 million less than the maximum he is eligible for as a 10-year veteran, giving Golden State flexibility with its cap space to possibly re-sign free agent guard Andre Iguodala.
Cavaliers: General manager David Griffin has decided to leave the team following three consecutive trips to the NBA Finals. Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert said the Cavaliers will not extend Griffin’s contract when it expires June 30. Gilbert said the team was not ready to name a replacement.
■ Cleveland reportedly is among those discussing a possible trade with the Pacers for four-time All-Star forward Paul George, who told the Pacers on Sunday of his intention to leave the team after next season. Several media outlets said the Pacers contacted the Cavs about George. The Vertical said George would be a “oneyear rental,” with George ready to hit free agency after the 2017-18 season. George reportedly is interested in joining the Lakers.
76ers: The 76ers’ draft trade with the Celtics was finalized Monday, giving Philadelphia the first overall pick in Thursday’s NBA draft. The 76ers are expected to select Washington point guard Markelle Fultz. The Celtics sent that pick to the Sixers for the No. 3 pick and protected 2018 Lakers firstrounder, which the Sixers possessed. The Celtics will get the pick if it falls in slots 2-5 in next summer’s NBA draft lottery. If it doesn’t convey, Boston will receive either the Kings’ or Sixers’ first-round pick in 2019; the Celtics would take whichever one is more favorable. But if either of those picks become the first overall, the Celtics will receive the other pick.
Clippers: Hall of Famer Jerry West, fresh off helping the Warriors win another NBA championship, is officially a consultant with the Clippers. West had been with the Warriors since 2011 and the team has won two NBA titles in that time. The Clippers have yet to win an NBA championship.