Nets nab Durant; supermax for Lillard
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 ’18, 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, and whenever he returns it will be in the Brooklyn black.
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 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.
Brooklyn finished 42-40 this season and lost in the first round of the playoffs, then got a huge victory Sunday when it beat out the Warriors, Knicks and Clippers for Durant.
Layups: A person with knowledge of the negotiations says Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers agreed on a four-year supermax extension that will be worth nearly $200 million. The extension was agreed to Sunday, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been signed . ... A person with knowledge of the deal says 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. The deal for the richest contract in team history comes after the Mavericks sent a pair of first-round picks and 2017 No. 9 overall selection Dennis Smith Jr. to the Knicks for Porzingis in a sevenplayer trade before the deadline last season. The deal can’t become official until the free agency moratorium ends Saturday . ... A person with knowledge of the negotiations says Tobias Harris agreed to a $180 million, five-year contract with the 76ers . ... Other reported deals include Julius Randle to the Knicks for three years and $63 million, Harrison Barnes staying with the Kings for four years and $85 million, Ricky Rubio going to the Suns for three years and $51 million, Malcolm Brogdon to the Pacers for four years and $85 million, and JJ Redick to the Pelicans for two years and $26.5 million.