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4 Reasons Kevin Durant Won’t Go To Golden State

By Austin Denean

Feb 3, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) brings the ball up the court against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) brings the ball up the court against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 29, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) yells to the fans in a break in action against the Houston Rockets at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) yells to the fans in a break in action against the Houston Rockets at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Money Talks

Under the current CBA, Durant is only able to account for 30 percent of a team’s cap at this point in his career. If he wanted to sign a multi-year deal this offseason, he would be able to make more money by staying with the Thunder.

By deciding to stay on a multi-year contract, the maximum Durant could earn would be five years, $113 million. If he were to sign with a new team, he would max out at four years, $84 million.

Just by signing a one-year deal with the Thunder for next season, Durant could ensure himself a ton of extra money. After an NBA player reaches their 10th season in the league, they can earn up to 35 percent of their team’s cap. Five percent does not seem like a large figure, but 5 percent of a potential $108 million cap comes out to an extra $5.4 million in his pocket.

Durant does not seem like the kind of player to be swayed by a dollar figure, and frankly his NBA salary is only the beginning of his earnings, but that is a lot of money for anybody to pass up.

OKC’s front office has been known to be cheap in terms of going into the luxury tax and giving their players big paydays (see James Harden trade). In recent years, they have made a few moves to show the league that they are willing to spend money in order to win.

After acquiring Enes Kanter before last year’s deadline, the Thunder decided to match a max-level offer from the Portland Trail Blazers to keep Kanter in Oklahoma. This is a move that shows Durant, and all the other teams in the league, that the Thunder are serious about winning and are willing to spend money in order to do so.

Next: Russell Westbrook

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