Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant
SF/PF - 6’9, 240lbs - 29 years old - 11 years of experience

The point of Kevin Durant was never to change the Warriors’ system. That system had just yielded 73 wins and is the backbone of the NBA’s most dominant dynasty since Jordan’s Bulls.

The point of Kevin Durant was never to change or diminish the importance of Stephen Curry. Curry is the system. It only works when he is there, taking charge, taking priority.

Instead, the point of Kevin Durant was to be the ultimate second option.

The system, led by Curry, is option number one. But in losing the 2016 NBA Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Warriors found out that they need a backup plan. They needed someone who, when the beautiful game was either misfiring or successfully stymied, could go out and get his own. They needed someone who could salvage any play, score on anyone, and score from anywhere. Every team needs that player, obviously, but it turns out 73-9 teams do, too.

After some teething trouble, that is what Durant has become. Were he not of the elite historic talent that he is, he would be an awkward fit, a good but non-Warriors player who broke plays and did not fit the system adequately. He does, after all, stand still a fair bit these days.

Instead, he is the second system. And it works a charm.

Player Plan: Has a $26.25 million player option he will not exercised. Needs to be re-signed at all costs, and by all accounts, he will be.

Kevin Durant
SF/PF, 6’9, 240lbs, 28 years old, 10 years of experience

Not sure what I can say that has not already been said and that is not already known. Gave it a go here.

Player Plan: Has declined a $27,734,405 player option for 2017/18 he had little rea-son to exercise, and sounds committed to re-signing. Re-signing him costs what it costs. It will be a lot, especially in conjunction with the below and the more punitive tax penalties. But this is what that amount is for. Any discounts would be welcome, but Durant is not the one to lose or scrimp on.

After the Pondexter pick, the camera immediately cuts to Kevin Durant, who tried to pretend it wasn't on him and showed no emotion at Pondexter's selection. Kevin clearly has been able to remember and compute the information that the ESPN director has forgotten; this pick is being traded by the Thunder to the Hornets. But even with this visual reminder, the director still doesn't remember the trade, and sends Heather Cox down there to interview Kevin. Heather seems to remember - rather than asking Durant anything about Pondexter, she speaks in more general terms about the Thunder's movements, and ends on a Cole Aldrich question. Cox adds much needed stability to an occasionally wild production team. It's just unfortunate that such a lady has such a surname.