Kevin Durant Willing To Take Less Than A Max Contract With Warriors

After losing to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals last year, the Golden State Warriors headed into the offseason with their sights set on making a game-changing move in free agency. The team targeted superstar free agent Kevin Durant and were able to land the one-time MVP.

With Durant heading into the NBA Finals with the Warriors on Thursday, Golden State’s move to sign the perennial All-Star has paid off, and it could be something that lasts for quite some time. Apparently, Durant is going with a team-first attitude moving forward as he is willing to take less than a maximum contract to help the team keep the current roster intact this summer, via Ramona Shelburne and Chris Haynes of ESPN:

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant is willing to take less than the maximum contract extension he is eligible for this summer as a 10-year veteran if it helps the Warriors keep the core of their team intact, league sources told ESPN.

Durant signed a two-year deal with the Warriors last summer with a player option in the second year. The 28-year-old will likely opt out of his contract that was set to pay him $27.7 million for next season and could sign a long-term deal or a similar contract in comparison to his current one.

Only six players on the current Warriors roster is under contract for next season. Klay Thompson has two more years left on his deal, and Draymond Green has three more years. Stephen Curry, however, will be an unrestricted free agent and will certainly be looking to secure his long-term future with the team with Durant helping free up some cap space to pay Curry and others what they’re worth.

Along with Curry, Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston, Zaza Pachulia, David West, JaVale McGee, Ian Clark, James Michael McAdoo, and Matt Barnes will all hit the open market next month.