2018 NBA free agency grades: Kevin Durant will re-sign with Warriors

In a move that came as a surprise to nobody, Kevin Durant has agreed to return and defend his consecutive titles with the Golden State Warriors.

According to Yahoo! Sports‘ Shams Charania, Kevin Durant will re-join the Golden State Warriors on a two-year, $61.5 million deal with a second-year player option.

This is a move many expected once the season ended with KD earning his second consecutive championship and Finals MVP award since coming to the Bay Area in the summer of 2016.

Durant’s presence will once again make Golden State the favorites to win the championship in 2019, as the collective talent the Dubs have amassed is something no team has been able to solve.

Since joining the Warriors, KD has adjusted seamlessly to their style of play, increasing his efficiency while still maintaining volume.

One of the best scorers of his generation, Durant is a walking bucket from literally any spot on the court, and that’s a trait head coach Steve Kerr has used to his advantage, getting KD open looks resulting from their motion offense or allowing him to isolate when necessary.

Look no further than Game 3 of the 2018 NBA Finals as a testament to Durant’s scoring prowess.

With his teammates struggling, KD lit up the Cleveland Cavaliers with 43 points on 15-of-23 shooting in a victory, demoralizing the Cleveland crowd with every jumper he dropped in from wherever he wanted.

The nine-time All-Star has done a fabulous job integrating himself into a Warriors offense that prides itself on making the right basketball play and always being willing to give up the ball. Durant posted the second-highest assist average of his career at 5.4 per game.

Where KD has really improved is on the defensive end. Since switching teams, he’s made a concerted effort to exert more energy on that end of the court, and with his length and quickness, it’s easy to see why he thrives.

Ranking seventh in the NBA in blocks per game with 1.8, Durant has used his 7’4″ wingspan to become one of the most feared rim-protectors in the game, allowing the Warriors to trot out some truly terrifying offensive units that sacrifice little on the defensive end.

Before KD landed in Golden State, the Dubs were a team capable of winning multiple championships. Now, with Durant in the fold, they’ve accumulated the most talented roster in NBA history that is a flamethrower on both ends, looking to annihilate anything in its path on its way to another title.

Yes, bringing Durant back may bring some luxury tax payments for owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, but KD was generous enough to work out a deal that sheds some money off that bill, making it easier for the billionaire owners to stomach.

This is a team that has lost one game in the NBA Finals over the last two seasons with a core still very much in its prime. To even fathom the idea of breaking them up right now would be one of the biggest blunders in sports history.

Durant’s skill-set complements that of his teammates perfectly and the sacrifices he’s made have benefited both himself and the team.

In a league where versatility on both ends is crucial, he’s become even more valuable, with the ability to score on anyone from anywhere and defend multiple positions on the other end.

There was no doubt the Warriors would bring back the reigning two-time Finals MVP. With his presence translating to all-time greatness and multiple banners hanging in Oracle Arena, and the prospect of more on the way, it’s easy to see why.

Next: 2018 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far

Grade: A+