Nets snag the biggest fish, as Durant leaves Warriors

NEW YORK» Kevin Durant is headed to the Brooklyn Nets, leaving the Golden State Warriors after three seasons.

His decision was announced Sunday at the start of the NBA free agency period on the Instagram page for The Boardroom, an online series looking at sports business produced by Durant and business partner Rich Kleiman.

Durant won titles with Golden State in 2017 and 2018, then was injured for much of the postseason this year as the team lost the NBA Finals in six games to the Toronto Raptors.

A ruptured right Achilles tendon could keep him out the entire next season, but whenever he returns, it will be with Brooklyn.

Two big fish still in the free-agent water: Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving — the latter of whom some expect to join Durant in Brooklyn.

ESPN first reported Durant’s decision, saying he had agreed to a four-year deal worth $164 million. Durant could have gotten five years and about $221 million to remain with the Warriors.

Durant, a 10-time all-star who just completed his 12th NBA season, was leading all postseason scorers at 34.2 points per game when he strained his right calf on May 8 in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Rockets. He had seven 30-point performances during the recent playoffs.

It’s unclear how he will play whenever he can return, but the Nets were willing to take a chance with a team on the rise.

The Nets also agreed to a deal with center DeAndre Jordan for $40 million over four years. Jordan played for the Knicks last season.

Brooklyn finished 42-40 this season and lost in the first round of the playoffs, then got a huge victory Sunday with Durant.

In other moves:

• Jimmy Butler agreed to a $142 million, four-year contract and will be traded to the Heat by the 76ers.

• The 76ers agreed to sign Al Horford, who played for the Celtics last season, to a four-year contract with $97 million guaranteed. Also, the Sixers and Tobias Harris agreed to a $180 million, five-year contract.

The Sixers lost guard JJ Redick to the Pelicans, where he will make $26.5 million over two seasons.

• Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers agreed on a four-year Supermax extension that will be worth nearly $200 million.

• The Mavericks and Kristaps Porzingis agreed on a $158 million, five-year maximum contract that will pair the 7-foot-3 Latvian with fellow Euro star Luka Doncic.

• Former Charlotte guard Kemba Walker told the Celtics he will sign a fouryear, $141 million contract to join them.

• Bojan Bogdanovic is signing a four-year deal with the Jazz that will be worth $73.1 million.

• Ricky Rubio is going from the Timberwolves to the Suns on a three-year deal worth $51 million.

• The Knicks agreed to a three-year, $63 million deal with forward Julius Randle, and also agreed to a deal with veteran Taj Gibson, who played for the Timberwolves the last two years.

• Thaddeus Young agreed to a three-year, $41 million contract with the Bulls. He played for the Pacers last season.

• Malcolm Brogdon is going from the Bucks to the Pacers and will wind up signing a four-year, $85 million contract. The Bucks are keeping center Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton, who will sign a five-year deal worth nearly $179 million.

• Jonas Valanciunas agreed to a $45 million, three-year deal to remain with the Grizzlies.

• The Magic is keeping forward Nikola Vucevic and guard Terrence Ross on four-year deals.

• Terry Rozier will be heading to the Hornets via a sign-and-trade with the Celtics and will receive $58 million over three years,