Last season, Kevin Durant made the ultimate sacrifice to keep the championship core of the Golden State Warriors intact, and his efforts paid off.
Instead of asking for a maximum deal worth $32.5 million annually, Durant gave the Warriors a discount, signing a two-year deal worth $51.2 million.
The value was $9 million less than what he demanded from the team. Durant earned around $25 million in the first year of the contract, which has a player option for $26 million in the second year, per Spotrac.
Durant's sacrifice went a long way as the Warriors were able to sign All-Star guard Stephen Curry to a well-deserved five-year supermax deal worth $201 million. The Warriors was also able to keep key reserves Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston, David West and center JaVale McGee. In addition, the team added shooting guard Nick Young via a one-year deal amounting to $5.2 million.
Durant's generosity paid dividends as he won his second straight NBA ring with the Warriors, who won their third championship in four years. Now, the Warriors plan to repay Durant, according to general manager Bob Myers.
Warriors Plan to Give Durant Max Deal
Durant opted out of the last year of his deal with the Warriors, but he expressed his intention to stay in the Bay Area. In a media interview, Myers said the Warriors plan to give Durant a maximum deal as a reward for his sacrifice last season.
When asked about Durant's contract negotiations, Myers said Durant could have whatever he wants. "Sometimes you don't negotiate," Myers says, adding that Durant did the Warriors a great service for his sacrifice last season. "He's earned that to lay out the terms," Myers added.
Durant Could Get $160-M Deal
After he opted out of the final year of his contract, the 29-year-old Durant can sign a four-year deal worth $160 million. The contract will be worth every penny as Durant played a crucial role in their championship win in the past two seasons.
Durant won the Finals MVP for the second straight season as he helped the Warriors sweep the Cleveland Cavaliers. In Game 3, Durant scored 43 points to compensate for Curry's bad shooting night. He then tallied a triple-double with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists as the Warriors completed a four-game sweep.
Earlier, Durant expressed his intention of playing in the NBA until he's 35 years old. If the Warriors sign him to a long-term deal, Durant could finish his Hall of Fame career in the Bay Area.
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