Kevin Durant Declines Player Option of $31.5 Million To Become An Unrestricted Free Agent

Kevin Durant Declines Player Option of $31.5 Million To Become An Unrestricted Free Agent

Golden State Warriors superstar forward, Kevin Durant has reportedly declined his player option worth $31.5 million to become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday. One of the biggest fish in the 2019 free-agent pool, Durant, 30, will have his options of shopping for a new home around the league. Durant’s business manager, Rich Kleiman, reportedly informed Warriors general manager Bob Myers of their decision, which will remain private.

“Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant has declined his $31.5M player option and will become an unrestricted free agent. 

“Durant and his business manager Rick Kleiman are in New York evaluating free agency options. So far, process has stayed private.”

Durant has the option of signing a four-year, $164 million deal with another team or re-signing with the his Warriors on a five-year, $221 million deal. The former NBA MVP winner enters the offseason as perhaps the biggest name on the market alongside the Boston Celtics’ Kyrie Irving, the NBA champions Toronto Raptors‘ Kawhi Leonard and Durant’s Warriors teammate, Klay Thompson. 

Kevin Durant

At this moment, Durant has his eyes locked in on five selected teams including the Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, New York, Knicks and the Los Angeles Clippers, according to ESPN.

“One thing I’m told is he is really focused on making his decision independently of anyone else and that includes Kyrie Irving. He’s at a point in his career where he’s going to decide really essentially on four-year deal elsewhere or a five-year deal with the Golden State, where he’s going to spend the rest of his prime.”

As previously reported, Durant suffered a ruptured right Achilles in Game 5 of The Finals after dribbling on the right wing, coming up lane on a crossover move and falling to the floor. Earlier this month, Durant had successful surgery to repair his torn achilles and his return is unknown. This past season, Durant averaged 26 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. In the playoffs, he averaged 32.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 4.5 apg and 1 bpg.

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