Although conventional wisdom would suggest that Kevin Durant’s Achilles injury last night has thrown the upcoming free agent period into a tailspin, some early reports suggest that wisdom may not apply here.
Durant has the ability to become a free agent after the season, but he also had a player option worth $30 million he could just as easily opt into if he wants to wait until next summer. However, a long-term max contract offer isn’t out of the question for Durant, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks during this morning’s appearance on Get Up.
Marks said he spoke to three teams, in what appeared to be hypothetical terms, that would give Durant a four-year max deal even if he has to miss the majority of next season.
That would seem to keep the door open for the New York Knicks, who have long-been rumored to be the front-runner to land Durant in free agency. But the ball, even in injury, remains in Durant’s court. And at least a few teams in the league believe his comeback is simply a matter of when and not if. That alone is some positive news to come out this unfortunate turn of events.
