The Golden State Warriors are reportedly in discussions with superstar Kevin Durant that would see Durant ink a five-year max contract and allow him to explore a trade to another team, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
Durant tore his Achilles in Game 5 of the NBA Finals after missing the previous nine games with a calf strain, so it will be interesting to see what kind of market he could have with teams knowing he is likely to miss the entire 2019-2020 season as he recovers.
The proposed solution could be a win-win for both parties, assuming Durant informs the Warriors that he doesn’t plan to re-sign with them.
In the aforementioned scenario, Durant would be a max deal, the biggest earning he could make and adding a 5th year, and the Warriors could get assets in return, instead of losing him for nothing.
Durant had been widely expected to decline his $31.5 million option in his contract to become an unrestricted free agent, and had been rumored to be interested in joining Kyrie Irving on the Brooklyn Nets, or signing with the New York Knicks.
Golden State also has to determine what they are going to do in regards to Klay Thompspn, who tore his ACL in Game 6 of the NBA Finals but is set to hit free agency as well.
Thompson is also in danger of missing the entire 2019-2020 season, which means the Warriors trading Durant could provide them with more pieces to surround Steph Curry and Draymond Green until Thompson can return.
