Kevin Durant delivered a stellar postseason performance, playing a pivotal role in helping the Golden State Warriors defend their title and earning himself the NBA Finals MVP honor. According to Cricket Exchange, ESPN had previously outlined three possible contract extensions between Durant and the Warriors: a 1+1 deal, a 2+1 option, or a 3+1 agreement—meaning two, three, or four years in total.
Currently, Durant is on a 1+1 contract with the Warriors—one fully guaranteed year and a $26 million player option for the second. If he were to re-sign under the same 1+1 structure, NBA rules would limit his starting salary to a 20% increase over his current earnings, meaning a first-year salary of approximately $30 million and a second year at $31.5 million, totaling around $61.5 million.
However, with a 2+1 or 3+1 deal, the guaranteed duration surpasses two years, allowing Durant to qualify for a maximum starting salary worth 35% of the team’s cap—estimated at $35.2 million. Thanks to the Warriors holding his Early Bird rights, Durant would also be eligible for annual raises of up to 8%, pushing his salary to $38.2 million in year two and $41 million in year three. Since the team doesn’t possess full Bird rights, the longest deal possible would be four years, worth up to $158 million.
After the season ended, Warriors General Manager Bob Myers made it clear: the team would do whatever it takes to keep Durant. “We’ll meet all his needs,” Myers stated, reflecting the organization’s commitment to retaining the player who led them to back-to-back titles and claimed two straight Finals MVP awards.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Durant had repeatedly indicated his intention to remain with the Warriors once free agency opens on July 1. Sources familiar with the situation revealed that both sides had already reached a mutual understanding, and a new deal was expected to be signed shortly after the free agency window opened.
Stein also clarified that the key date would be that Friday’s deadline, when Durant had to decide whether to pick up his $26.3 million player option. However, league insiders told Cricket Exchange that Durant had informed the Warriors he would not exercise the option. Instead, he planned to let the deadline pass, enter free agency, and then re-sign with Golden State under a brand-new contract.
Durant’s choice signals not just a commitment to the Warriors’ future, but also confidence in the organization’s vision. With two championships already under his belt in Golden State, and a third potentially on the horizon, Durant is clearly ready to run it back—and the Warriors are all in.