OAKLAND, Calif. _ Usually, the marketplace and a team's luxury cap determines the length and amount of a player's deal. But for Warriors forward Kevin Durant, Warriors general manager Bob Myers will basically ask Durant both to write his terms and then sign on the dotted line.
"Whatever he wants," Myers said, laughing. "Sometimes you don't negotiate."
Durant will opt out of his player option to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. But he and his business partner, Rich Kleiman, have repeatedly said he will re-sign with the Warriors after winning two NBA championships and two Finals MVPs since joining the team two years ago.
It is not clear, however, if Durant will sign a deal at one-year deal as he did in the 2016 offseason, or if he will seek a multi-year deal. Last summer, Durant took a $10 million paycut so the Warriors could retain veterans Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston while also acquiring Nick Young.
"I'd love to have him for 10 years. But, Kevin Durant, look at what he did last year for us. He did us a great service," Myers said. "He's earned the right to sign whatever deal he wants. I just want him to sign a deal. I want him to be happy and want him to know we want him as long as he wants to be here. He's earned that to lay out the terms."
Therefore, Myers predicted "that shouldn't be a long negotiation." Not that this should be surprising. Durant has said since the middle of this season that he would stay with the Warriors.
"Maybe I'm naive, but I never felt like he was leaving. I got asked that question a lot because he was surprised. I thought he was happy. I'm glad he said that. We want him to be happy. But I felt validation. It's good. I think he's enjoyed his time here. It's been great for us and great for him. Hopefully we can keep it going."
