Whether two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant plans to leave the Golden State Warriors or is just positioning himself as if he might for the sake of negotiating the best deal possible, things just got real for the franchise. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported today that Durant has declined his $31.5 million player option thereby becoming an unrestricted free agent.
According to Wojnarowski, Durant has remained in New York following surgery to repair his ruptured right Achilles and has been meeting with Rich Kleiman, his business manager, to explore his free agency possibilities behind the scenes.
Although Durant has spoken only glowingly about the Warriors, claiming he played in that fateful Game 5 of the Finals because he wanted to, other reports have surfaced about him being displeased with the team’s handling of the calf strain that kept him sidelined for weeks and from which he had not fully recovered when he returned to game action, which lasted all of 12 minutes.
Reports also maintain that Durant has met with Kyrie Irving more than once and that the pair seeks to join a franchise as a package deal.
With Klay Thompson not receiving an offer from the Warriors yet, Durant entering free agency and the Knicks reportedly having an interest in DeMarcus Cousins, the Warriors and all of the NBA could look very different in 2019-20 even though the injury will prevent Durant for suiting up for any team.
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