Kevin Durant should have no problem finding a team to overlook his Achilles injury and sign him to a max contract this summer, but the competition for his services may not be as great as it once was.
The Golden State Warriors are said to be willing to offer Durant a max contract to re-sign with them, and reports have indicated that the New York Knicks will not be deterred, either. We can also add the Brooklyn Nets to that list, but Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report wrote on Monday that sources have told him at least two teams are backing off of their pursuit of Durant.
Those two teams, Bucher says, are the Philadelphia 76ers and LA Clippers. The issue for both is that they feel they are close to contending, and they want to build off their playoff success from last season rather than pay Durant more than $30 million to sit out next year. The Clippers, of course, have made Kawhi Leonard their top target.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on Friday that the Nets are gaining confidence that they can sign Durant. They are considered the clear frontrunner to land Kyrie Irving, but they may not want him unless another star joins him. Brooklyn would apparently be willing to have Durant be that star, even if he won’t be available at all next season.
