The deals do not give the Warriors a long-term commitment. They've helped set Durant up to make more money, but they've also kept his options open each summer.
After the 2017-18 season, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told ESPN's Zach Lowe on a podcast that he had a one-on-one meeting with Durant during the season because he sensed Durant "drifting." Lowe wrote separately that he believes the Warriors were somewhat nervous that Durant might leave. He, of course, did not.
First, GM Bob Myers joked that Stephen Curry could have any contract he wants because he had been there for the whole run. He said Durant could not.
Then, the event's emcee, Bob Fiztgerald of NBC Sports, joked that he wanted to be near Durant "before his Warrior exit." Durant shook his head on stage.
Read more: The Warriors baffled the NBA world with several awkward comments about Kevin Durant's next contract
Source: ESPN
Source: The Athletic
1. Durant's agent, Rich Kleiman, is from New York. He once tweeted that he would one day like to run the Knicks.
2. The Knicks have cap space to sign Durant.
3. Knicks GM Scott Perry was in the Seattle SuperSonics' front office when they drafted Durant. He and Durant were reportedly close.
4. Amid talk that the Warriors would never be Durant's team, some wondered if he might want to pursue leading another team on his own. What better franchise than the downtrodden Knicks? For all of the negativity Durant received for joining the Warriors, leading the Knicks deep in the playoffs would make him one of the most popular athletes in the world.
Separate reports indicated Irving and the Celtics' front office had had the same discussion.
This seemed to quiet rumors about Irving joining the Knicks. Irving grew up in north New Jersey, not far from New York.
The incident occurred when Durant chastised Green for not passing him the ball for a game-winning shot.
Green shot back at Durant, reportedly claiming Durant wasn't part of the team's future, so he should just leave. He reportedly told Durant the team didn't need him.
The Knicks previously had nearly enough cap space for one superstar. By trading Porzingis, along with Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee, while not taking back any salary, the Knicks created enough cap space for two superstars.
"In my discussions with rival team executives, I've heard from many more who praise the trade — believing the Knicks must have some promising inside information about their ability to lure the likes of Durant and Irving — than from those questioning how much the Knicks received in return.
"I can also pass along that the threat of the Knicks' persuading Durant to leave one of the most dominant teams in league history has never felt more real to the Warriors themselves."
"'The only reason you can justify doing it,' the same exec said of dumping Porzingis, 'is you have some level of certainty in your own mind that you're getting KD and Kyrie, or KD and whatever.'
"Others were more blunt. 'It means they're pretty sure they're getting KD,' said a rival exec who believes the Knicks have already been told Durant is coming."
"Let us be frank, with the caveat that the choice lives inside the head of one guy who can and does change his mind: Insiders around the league think Kevin Durant is leaving the Warriors for the Knicks. Most people within the Warriors either think Durant is leaving or profess not to know one way or the other. His teammates recognize this reality, can handle it and merely want one outcome: Win a championship, absent too much drama. The main concern, at the moment, is whether he’ll commit in the short term to what he may have already left in the long term."
Strauss also wrote that Durant wishes to be recognized as the best player in the NBA, something that may be difficult so long as the Warriors remain the most stacked team in the league.
What if the Celtics weren't as good as expected? With Irving frequently critiquing the young players on the team and signs of real locker room strife, some wondered if this was going to be a long-term marriage after all.
On February 1, before a game against the Knicks, Irving was asked about re-signing with Boston and said he didn't "owe anyone s---." Irving said he would do what's best for his family and told reporters to ask him his feelings on his future on July 1.
Source: The Ringer
Source: Tim Kawakami/Twitter
Source: Yahoo
Some believe that Durant may only be comfortable leaving the Warriors if they win another championship. Just as he joined them because they lost in the 2016 Finals, he may leave them if they win three straight championships, believing he's achieved everything he wanted with them.
Conversely, the Celtics' playoff success could play a huge role in Irving's decision. If the Celtics regroup and contend for a championship, he may re-sign in Boston, not wanting to leave a young, growing, talented team. But if the Celtics lose in the second round, that would be a disappointment and may cause him to go elsewhere.
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