As Kevin Durant ponders his NBA future, a number of options are in front of him.
After rupturing his Achilles in Game 5 of the Warriors' NBA Finals loss to the Toronto Raptors, Durant now must decide if he will take the financial stability of a five-year max contract from Golden State, or bolt for the New York Knicks or Brooklyn Nets.
Last week, it was reported that the Warriors have at least had discussions about the possibility of orchestrating a "delayed sign-and-trade" with Durant if he wants to leave. The idea would be for the Warriors to sign Durant to the five-year max, let him rehab next season and then agree to trade him to where he wants to play once he is healthy.
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It also would allow the Dubs to get something in return for Durant instead of losing him for nothing.
Orchestrating that would be a tricky process, one Golden State isn't really looking into, according to The Athletic's Anthony Slater.
"But early indications are the Warriors aren’t seriously exploring that convoluted path," Slater writes. "Beyond possible CBA circumvention issues, it would be both absurdly expensive and internally awkward with only a future chance at slightly helpful assets. Translation: Not worth it.
"That’s not to rule out a Durant re-sign and eventual trade. Things can go south quickly in this league. But if the Warriors get Durant back on his five-year max, it’d be with the initial expectation that his next game would be in their uniform, whenever that may be."
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Durant has a big decision to make when free agency opens June 30. Do the bright lights of New York and the possibility of teaming up with Kyrie Irving still hold a large appeal? Or has the Achilles injury made the fifth year that only Golden State can offer more enticing?
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The two-time Finals MVP reportedly has yet to make a decision, so the NBA world only can sit and await for what could be a league-altering choice.