Kevin Durant has thrived with Golden State and helped them win two rings. The Warriors offer him the best opportunity in both the sports and business worlds.
When you’re like Kevin Durant — one of the best players in the NBA — you can go one of two routes financially – either command a supermax contract (a laStephen Curry,James Harden), or sign a one plus one contract likeLeBron James.
The supermax contract gives the player an assurance of longer term stability (and a yacht load of money).
The one plus one contract maximizes flexibility, since it’s a one-year contract with a player option for the second year. That structure allows the player to test the free agency market at the end of every year.
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When you’re a top-tier player, you’re not worried about finding work.
With the one plus one, if you don’t like your current team, you move on, as LeBrondidfrom Cleveland to the Lakers (note that James has since changed his mindset and recently signed a four-year agreement with LA).
AsKevin Durantenters his third season with theGolden State Warriors,many have speculated about his mindset after the 2018-2019 season.
If the Warriors wind up winning their third championship in a row, will he be motivated to go elsewhere?
Thethinkinghas been that his legacy is at stake, since the Warriors were champions before he joined the team in 2016, that he needs to show he can reach the top of the mountain without these All-Stars (but presumably some other All-Stars).
Over the summer there was adust-upbetween KD andCJ McCollumof the Portland Trail Blazers, where McCollum called KD’s character into question for joining a team that had beaten him (a tired trope, in the opinion of many).
These external opinions would supposedly influence KD’s decision making.
Without actually knowing what Durant is thinking, there are a few key reasons why he may choose to stay with the Warriors.
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1) Durant Doesn’t Care What Others Think– Durant was fully aware of the impending criticism from the haters when he left the Thunder in 2016 to join the Warriors. If anything, 2018 Kevin Durant, assured by his two rings and two FinalsMVPtrophies, is even more comfortable in his skin.
2) The Warriors are Durant’s team– Or at least it’s his team as much as it is Curry’s team. Durantsacrificedsome of his salary two years in a row to help the Warriors retain key role players. As a side note, he also delivered MVP performances in consecutive NBA Finals. He hasn’t ridden anyone’s coattails; he is the coattail — and he paid for the coat.
3) Durant Sees the Bigger Picture– Kevin Durant can take advantage of something only the Warriors have — proximity and access to Silicon Valley and its network of venture capitalists. Warriors ownerJoe Lacobis a venture capitalist, as is minority ownerFred Harman.
In addition, teammateAndre Iguodalahas introduced Kevin to the high-flying VC firmAndreessen Horowitz. The opportunity to learn about investing from some of the leaders in Silicon Valley may be worth more than what Durant can earn playing basketball.
As an example, it was recentlyreportedthatKobe Bryant’s $6 million investment in BodyArmor sports drink is now worth $200 million. And Kobe didn’t have to break a sweat to earn that money.
That’s what you call leverage.
So, if you’re another team that can offer Kevin Durant a chance to compete every year for a championship in a team-first environment that will also allow him to grow personally and financially, shoot your best shot.
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