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The Kevin Durant free agency rumors are swirling, even though we’re about four months away from the offseason.
Shortly after the 2017-18 season concluded, Durant signed a two-year extension with an opt-out option after the 2019 season. Durant’s decision not to sign a long-term deal with the Warriors has created a sense of uncertainty, which has loomed over the current season. The reality is the two-time reigning NBA Finals MVP could leave Golden State after three seasons.
At Warriors practice Monday afternoon, Warriors general manager Bob Myers addressed the Durant situation.
“I don’t necessarily feel that (outside noise) in the locker room,” Myers told reporters. “I don’t feel like it’s become part of our fabric. I think maybe that comes from being a team that has been scrutinized the last three or four years that’s used to a lot of coverage they have earned and deserve. You got players who have been in a spotlight position for most of their career. And Steve (Kerr), who has great experience as a player playing with some high-level guys, coaching our team. He really is the steward of that ship as far as keeping our locker room intact and in place, but it’s not easy. It’s a hard thing to do, but I don’t sense any of that creeping in from my perspective.”
“I feel like all of our players are happy and want to stay with us,” Myers added.
Durant hasn’t had any more public spats with teammates or coaches since his incident with Draymond Green in November. Durant has also previously alluded to his interest in remaining a Warrior for a long time.
But his intention to test free agency has created an avalanche of reports about where he will play next year. One team that has been consistently mentioned: the New York Knicks.
Back in October, Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes reported the Knicks have a “very good shot” at landing Durant.
"New York Knicks have a very good shot at luring KD away from the Bay Area. … The same allure that LeBron had towards the Los Angeles Lakers, just the building, the culture, is the same way I know that KD feels about the Knicks." — @ChrisBHaynes pic.twitter.com/04xDGmLA2k
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) October 3, 2018
Last week, the Knicks traded franchise cornerstone Kristaps Porzingis, along with three more players, to the Dallas Mavericks to clear up the necessary cap space for Durant and potentially one more marquee free agent signing in 2019. That move has raised discussions on what Durant will do after the current season.
Klay Thompson will also become a free agent after the current season. He, too, has indicated he wants a max contract when free agency opens up. Thompson reportedly turned down a three-year extension last summer.
If Thompson isn’t rewarded with a max deal, and the Los Angeles Lakers sign disgruntled star Anthony Davis, who has requested a trade out of New Orleans, Thompson would reportedly be interested in joining the Lakers, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported last week.
All of this to say, there’s plenty to be worked out. The Warriors, of course, plan to do everything they can to retain their all-time great core from a financial perspective.
Ultimately, Myers said, you can’t fully address these situations until the season is over.
“I get it people want to know answers to these questions, but what I would re-convey is it’s hard to win a basketball game in the NBA, it’s hard to win a playoff game, it’s hard to win a championship,” Myers said. “That has to be our focus, and that is our focus.”