NBA: 5 ripple effects of Kevin Durant’s Achilles injury

3. How Durant’s injury impacts Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson has made every indication that he will re-sign in Golden State, so long as the Warriors offer him a max contract. The Warriors would certainly love to appease Klay by giving the All-Star guard a very deserved max deal, but their ability to do so hinges on Durant opting out of the $31.5 million option.

Durant is not in a position to do Golden State any favors. After being rushed back to rescue the Warriors in the Finals, causing an injury that threatens to devastate the rest of his entire career, he may not be inclined to placate their salary needs. The best decision for him, in all likelihood, would be to opt in, collect his money, and cap strap the Warriors so badly they would enter the season $5 million over the salary cap at best.

The Warriors have extremely limited ways to create money. Their best option was always for Durant to decline his option and go on his merry way. Should Shaun Livingston choose to retire, they’ll save $5 million. They can save a further $6 million by letting go of Boogie. They cannot create a max contract if Durant opts in.

Thompson is an unrestricted free agent this summer. He took a significant pay cut in his second contract to facilitate Draymond Green‘s plans to woo Durant, and now seems set to recoup money he gave up previously. With little to no interest in taking another pay cut, Thompson could be very likely to test the waters of free agency if KD makes a return to Golden State.

Klay has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers at times during this season. FOX Sports recently reported that Klay would also star in LeBron James’s Space Jam sequel, as well as consider the Lakers as a possible destination.  While the destination remains pure speculation, Thompson’s vehement refusal to take a discount has been well recorded throughout the season. Should Durant choose to opt in for a final year, it could close the door on one Splash Brother’s career in Golden State.