Golden State Warriors: 5 goals for the 2018 offseason
1. Re-sign Kevin Durant at whatever price is necessary
In 2016 it was at least a reasonable opinion to have that the Warriors should not sign Kevin Durant, but rather should keep together the team that won 73 games and came within a whisper of back-to-back titles. Reasonable, but clearly incorrect in retrospect.
What the last two seasons have proven is that the Warriors need Durant to be a true dynasty, the perennial favorite for the next four years or more. In Game 3 of the 2018 NBA Finals, the Splash Brothers could not find the bottom of the net, but the team still won on the backs of an all-time shooting performance from Durant. When this team is cold, injured or simply in a bind, Durant’s pure shot-making ability stands out.
Durant will most likely make the decision to be a free agent this summer by declining his player option, and theoretically could sign anywhere he wanted. That being the case, one year after taking a pay cut to make it financially palatable to bring back Shaun Livingston and Andre Iguodala and sign Nick Young, Durant is ready to get paid — but to stay in the Bay Area.
Durant has a few options available to him this summer, depending on how much he values flexibility and certainty. The former MVP could sign a 1+1 deal using Non-Bird Rights, which would pay him about $5 million short of the maximum this upcoming season, but allow him to sign a full maximum contract next summer using Full Bird Rights.
The other option would be to use Early Bird Rights, which allow him to sign at 175 percent of his current salary. A full four-year contract under these numbers puts him at the max for next season, but eliminates any flexibility down the road if the cap takes another leap. He could also go for a 2+1 contract at the Early Bird Numbers, recommended by Danny Leroux of The Athletic, maximizing money now and getting back onto the market in a couple of seasons.
In the end Kevin Durant is worth whatever contract he wants, and the Warriors should pay him accordingly. It will be interesting to watch whether Durant chooses to leave any money on the table, and what path he takes to maximizing his earnings while meeting his other goals.
Next: 2018 NBA Mock Draft - Final edition
Durant is the biggest domino to fall this offseason, but he has made it clear he is returning to the Warriors. How much they pay him, as well as who they sign on the fringes, are small but important decisions that will play a part in the longevity of this dynasty.