Kevin Durant Free Agency Thread

[prech]

GS has like $75 million in committed salaries for six players already. They'd have to trade Iggy or Bogut and let the following players go to sign Durant: Festus, Barnes, Barbosa, Speights, Rush & McAdoo. Both Curry and Livingston are only signed for next season so it's not like they have flexibility going forward either. Curry is going to take the remaining cap space and they'd have to decide whether to go into the tax to retain Livingston. If I were Durant, and to a lesser extent the Warriors, that would give me pause.

Not true.
After 2016
GS books will be

Thompson 17.4
Green 15.8
Curry cap hold 18
Looney 1.2
MLE this year 2.9
2016 1st 980k

I don't know what you mean by after 2016. If you mean next summer, then yes that's your committed salary. But if you sign Durant this summer, you add his max contract and Curry's cap hold will quickly turn into his own vet max deal.

If you mean this summer, Iggy, Bogut and Livingston are under contract and you've still got $2.75 million of J. Thompson's contract that's guaranteed. Add in minimum salary cap holds for the rest of the roster and you've got some decisions to make.

Clearly Warriorfan meant after the 2016-17 season based on the salaries posted.

Jason Thompson's stretched contract is about ~$0.9M/yr for the next 3 seasons.

Lacob has said several times he'd be glad to go into the tax in the right situation. If that means sustaining Steph Curry's 35% max as well as another superstar a la Durant, he'd do it in a heart beat. ESPN's Rovell and others reported the GSW gate/concessions take is just obscene, where their worst days are like most teams' best, and with the new SF arena, that's only go rise further. They can afford the most punitive of tax payments for several years if multiple titles are on the line.

[MrBigShot]

I don't necessarily think they need more help, just balance. And I don't think KD is leaving OKC.

On a side note David Lee was missed in this series. I know he requested a trade but he was huge last finals, would've been a huge help instead of Ezeli/Varajao.

[Warriorfan]

Not true.
After 2016
GS books will be

Thompson 17.4
Green 15.8
Curry cap hold 18 max 33mil 30% of cap.
Looney 1.2
MLE this year 2.9
2016 1st 980 k

Rest of cap sheet can be
Durant 28 mik
2.9 mil MLE
Pay Iggy Livingston around MLE 6 mik
900 K Thompson stretch.
10 mil for some bigs.
Round out 3 vet min ring chasers.

Warriors just about tax apron.

OKC books

33 mil max Westbrook
33 mil max Ibaka or he walks.
28 mil Max Durant
17 Kanter
4.5 Singlar
115.5 so over cap.

RFA
Adams could be up to 33 mil probably 20+
Robertson 10 +

OKC has much worse situation and not opening a new arena like GS which will be getting new naming rights seat licenses luxury box revenue etc.

Lacob and Co have already made over 1.5 billion in team valuation since their purchase 5 yrs ago.
Jan 20 2016 Forbes article business of basketball.

[antistrat]

With the finals loss, we see that Curry needs a superstar next to him to open him up a bit, and it's completely obvious Durant is that guy. While Green played a tremendous game, the Warriors, overall lack someone to carry the offense when Curry can't get going. Lebron had Kyrie to do this, but Klay is a bit too wishy washy in my eyes to carry an offense when Curry is off the floor.

I really think this loss guarantees Durant signing with the Warriors.

Right, but would Kevin Durant stoop so low? To join the 73 win Warriors that holds the defending 2x NBA MVP? I find it hard to believe that a competitor on the level of Kevin Durant, in his prime, would willingly jump over to a finals guarantee and ride another star's NBA MVP coattails.

Durant is not that guy.

So, to me, it's either OKC or Washington for KD. Any place that still includes the narrative of "loyalty."

[improper]

Has a star ever joined the team that just eliminated him from the playoffs in a bitter seven-game series? I just don't see it. Plus, it's not as if OKC wasn't fully capable of winning that series. This wasn't like LeBron's first stint in Cleveland where the team just didn't have the assets to put a star next to LeBron. Durant has a superstar next to him and a solid overall roster.

[Side beard]

Curry will need to learn PG if he wants to satisfy KD. And I doubt KD will want to be number two on different team.

[rallydurham]

I think they should get rid of barnes regardless. Maxing him out is a mistake obviously and I'd be hesitant to lock the rest of Currys prime in with barnes at this point.


If curry had been healthy they would have won the title. Heck if bogut doesn't get hurt they probably win. Maybe even if iggy hadn't gotten hurt..

I think durant should join the warriors. Hes got too much on the line. If he doesn't want to join the warriors the clippers would be a good choice in a Blake swap.


But all signs point to to the 1+1 in okc

[daviddpc]

Doubtful and unlikely and slim to none that Durant goes to GS, LA, LAC, SAC, BOS or simply stay in OKC here's why....

SB Nation

"The Miami Heat will benefit from the coming salary cap explosion due to Florida being one of only seven states without a state income tax. This advantage is especially true for NBA stars who have substantial endorsement incomes, because they have to pay state income taxes on their contracts inside and outside the court in most states.

California residents pay up to 13%, New York residents 12%, Oklahoma 5%, and Ohio 5% in state income tax on their total earnings. Even when their playing days are over, they'll be giving these states part of their paycheck for the privilege of residing there.

The state tax becomes a significant chunk of change when max players contracts may leap from $100+ million to $200+ million after all the television money comes into play over the next few seasons. The basketball free agents will be looking long and hard when they sign long-term deals, as the numbers for elite players stand to become massive over the span of the contracts.

The actual contracts for the handful of max players isn't as simple as only taxes. This article on a hypothetical situation for Kevin Durant points out he would earn slightly more staying put in Oklahoma City (see comment), because of CBA rules. The article does not mention the state taxes he pays on his $300 million Nike contract. When Durant said he hasn't made any choices yet, he's been totally honest about how complicated the process is before signing on the dotted line.

Most people see Miami as a great place to enjoy the weather, both in summer and then the winter basketball season.


The climate lends itself as a haven for athletes to work out and enjoy life all year long. The Heat have Bill Foran on the Stack list as one of the top 8 strength and conditioning coaches in the NBA, "Bill Foran is the O.G. [original gangsta] of basketball strength and conditioning, having been with the Miami Heat since their inception in 1988...Foran's training methods have evolved as the game has changed, and he now focuses his efforts with the Heat on total body balance strength training."

Come July 6th the expensive free agents won't visit Florida to think only of balmy winters. Their agents, accountants and lawyers will be there to advise them on the real costs of a commitment to long-term contracts, since the numbers go way beyond those of a few years ago. Especially prime opportunities for the Heat lie with players who have significant endorsement contracts, which would be taxed by many states for years to come.

Other ingredients in the mix include the prospect of having a Dwyane Wade and Hassan Whiteside on their team to possibly reach the NBA Finals playing in the Eastern Conference. All things considered, the Florida lifestyle, both financially and physically, looms as attractive options as the massive contracts become reality."

Just California alone would cost Durant Nike endorsement deal a tax bill of a whopping $39,000,000 million dollars YES $39 million alone not to mention His NBA Contract of around another $13,000,000 to $18,000,000 dollars that about $50,000,000 dollars to go play anywhere in CA so HELL NO NO NO its not going to happen..If you change your LIBERAL TAX POLITICS and then we could start to consider your State....

If he stays put in OKC and of course a slight increase in NBA contract still would be costing him about half of $50 million.

Florida doesn't have those problem NO and I mean NO state tax. But we have Beaches, Food, Art and Yes ALL TYPES of Ladies.....Those state like California of Mass they have no chance...


Here a list of states:

I was curious about how state income tax affects the decisions of free agents on where to sign so I looked up the income tax for every state and arranged them from highest to lowest.

Toronto Raptors - 13.6%
Golden State Warriors - 12.3%
LA Clippers - 12.3%
LA Lakers - 12.3%
Sacramento Kings - 12.3%
Portland Trail Blazers - 9.9%
Minnesota Timberwolves - 9.85%
Washington Wizards - 8.95%
Brooklyn Nets - 8.82%
New York Knicks - 8.82%
Milwaukee Bucks - 7.65%
Atlanta Hawks - 6%
New Orleans Pelicans - 6%
Charlotte Hornets - 5.75%
Cleveland Cavaliers - 5.33%
Oklahoma City Thunder - 5.25%
Boston Celtics - 5.15%
Utah Jazz - 5%
Denver Nuggets - 4.63%
Phoenix Suns - 4.54%
Detroit Pistons - 4.25%
Chicago Bulls - 3.75%
Indiana Pacers - 3.3%
Philadelphia Sixers - 3.07%
Dallas Mavericks - 0%
Houston Rockets - 0%
Memphis Grizzlies - 0%
Miami Heat - 0%
Orlando Magic - 0%
San Antonio Spurs - 0%


So which states has 0 % and is the most attractive state to go to YES ----FLORIDA hands down----
Although Texas....has an outside chance...

[rallydurham]

Durant to the heat is not likely. No space. And don't just post this same thing over and over

[Warriorfan]

While Mia is a great destination and tax rate is an important factor its not the only factor. Winning, culture, family endorsements etc.

First on the Nike contract he is taxes for it based on his residentcy so where he lived in the off season.

Taxes are levied by where a game is played. So game in CA Ca tax Texas O taxes. The soutwest division games no taxes except when playing NO.

Durant because of his earnings can incorporate and reside in a no tax state to mitigate taxation.

Personally I'd go to Mia if it was my choice Durant might choose differently.

[Rastas]

Love out Durant in , Lebron moves to PF .......... Durant wants some of that Curry payback ! ; )

[MarvinGaye1983]

For me it cements his decision to stay in OKC. I mean they were 1 game away from the finals this year and Golden State lost . If Golden State had won in convincing fashion against the Cavs then that might have forced KD to do something drastic but now I think the best option for him is to stay in OKC where they can improve to hopefully get over the hump. Other than GSW I don't there is another realistic option with a better chance than OKC if he wants to win.

[SFrush]

It's very possible.

[msr999]

That team would be ridiculous!!!

Steph
Klay
Durant/Iggy
Green
Bogut/ get a defensive specialist back up center!

A huge upgrade over Barnes and Durant can rebound too

Can you come up with any team that is better than this? Start with Lebron, then who? Chris Paul/Westbrook, Carmelo, whiteside/Valanciunas. I don't know if there is a team that can beat this one in 7 game series if bench strength is equal.

[tidho]

With the finals loss, we see that Curry needs a superstar next to him to open him up a bit, and it's completely obvious Durant is that guy. While Green played a tremendous game, the Warriors, overall lack someone to carry the offense when Curry can't get going. Lebron had Kyrie to do this, but Klay is a bit too wishy washy in my eyes to carry an offense when Curry is off the floor.

I really think this loss guarantees Durant signing with the Warriors.

Don't completely agree with everything you said, but lets pretend its 100% true...
All that does is 'guarantee' the Warriors need him, its says nothing about his interest in going there?

Taking a contrarian point of view, wouldn't watching Curry severely underperform and get abused defensively in back to back playoff series make Durant more likely to stay with the (overall) superior Westbrook?

[Carlos_Danger]

To sign Durant you'd have to trade one of Bogut and Iggy to an under the cap team while taking back no salary in return while also renouncing Barnes, Ezuli, Speights, and Barbosa to eliminate their cap holds.

All easily doable. The problem is filling in the hole left by getting rid of either Iggy or Bogut.

Ezili was awful, and criticism of Kerr over playing him is absurd because as awful as he was, the alternative was Mo Buckets, an apt nickname since the other team is sure to get mo buckets (and rebounds) with him on the floor. Barbosa is a good bench player, but Iggy and Livingtson are more than enough for wing reserve minutes and both are better. That leaves trading Bogut or Iggy to an under the cap team. Also easily doable with the exploding cap and the number of teams that will NOT be getting a big time free agent and will have plenty of cap space and willingness to take on some salary for picks.

The difficulty arises from finding a serviceable replacement for Bogut or Iggy. Green, Jaspon Thompson, and Kevon Looney ain't gonna cut it in the front-court if you dump Bogut, and assuming Durant is OK with merely $25 million per year after you could dump Bogut or Iggy and re-sign no one, there's no cap room left. As superior as a player Iggy is, it actually makes more sense to trade him than Bogut, because Durant plays the same positions and is also actually a good defender when he wants to be, and unlike Bogut Iggy would not be a starter, and unlike Bogut you still have a serviceable player on the roster who can take some of his minutes - Livingtson.

Either way, signing Durant = bye-bye depth and hello shorter rotation like most teams.

STARTERS:

C - Bogut
PF - Green
SF - Durant
SG - Thompson
PG - Curry

BENCH:

F/C - Thompson
F/C - Looney
G/F - Livingtson
Draft Pick???
MLE and Vet-Minimum FAs???

[maximus721]

No way Durant goes to GS. Not enough shots to go around between Curry, Thompson Green and Durant.

[TheShoe1010]

The last two years, Steph Curry has...

- Back to back MVP awards
- 73 wins
- Come within 4 points of winning back to back Championships

...and GSW needs another superstar to add to the mix? Seems like quite the over reaction to me.

[Soca]

No way Durant goes to GS. Not enough shots to go around between Curry, Thompson Green and Durant.

Green doesn't need a lot of shots so I beg to differ.

[UDRIH14]

they won a championship last year, following year no changes and g oes for 73-9 and OP is telling the gsw needs another superstar?

if u need another superstar, then is steph curry? a superstar or fake ass superstar?