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2017 NBA free agency: 5 best signings of the summer

By Nate Wolf

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 6: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Utah Jazz plays defense against Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2017 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 6: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Utah Jazz plays defense against Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2017 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images /

1. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors: Two years, $52 million

What’s the reward for organizational stability, excellent coaching and historic greatness? Aside from the multiple championships, that kind of situation is attractive to free agents – so attractive, in fact, they’ll take substantial pay cuts to play there.

Everyone knew Durant would re-sign with the Golden State Warriors, and he opted to cut the Dubs a bargain. Rob Mahoney of Sports Illustrated explains all the mechanics and implications of Durant’s contract here, but these are the key takeaways:

  • Durant left around $7 million on the table.
  • His deal will reduce the franchise’s luxury tax penalty by several more millions of dollars.
  • By not demanding a full max contract, Durant allowed Golden State to retain Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston, and extend Steph Curry without sacrificing Draymond Green or Klay Thompson.

In sum, Durant did the Warriors a solid. Of course, as Mahoney points out, Durant likely had a gentleman’s agreement in place with Golden State brass to take a pay cut this season. Otherwise, the two sides might have found themselves in a stand-off. Still, the reigning Finals MVP didn’t need to sacrifice this much money in order to keep the team together.

The Warriors saved millions in both payroll and taxes, while retaining its entire core. Was this move surprising? Not really, but the best moves don’t necessarily elicit shock.

Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far

Just think about it: Golden State re-signed the second best player in the league for significantly below market value, thereby preserving what is potentially the most dominant team in NBA history. Pretty sweet, huh?