Kevin Durant will opt out of his contract after the season so he can restructure his deal with the Golden State Warriors.
Durant signed a two-year deal last summer for only $51 million, and gave himself the opportunity to opt out after the season. He took a discount to make it easier for the team to retain Shaun Livingston and Andre Iguodala.
This offseason, he is not expected to be so charitable.
ESPN’s Chris Haynes reports that Durant will seek much more pay this time around. He reports that Durant will consider three options for his next contract. He could sign another two-year deal that includes an opt-out, and then opt out after next season to sign a 5-year, $219 million deal. He could sign a four-year max deal worth around $158 million. Or he could sign a three-year deal with an opt out, and then sign a big contract after the second year.
The salary cap tends to go up each season, which leads to escalating salaries. The trick is to try and sign both when your value is highest and so is the salary cap in order to maximize your future earnings.
Durant won a championship in his first season with the Warriors last year and took home NBA Finals MVP honors. He’s hoping to repeat as a champion this year and has said that’s where his focus lies.
