Re-signing pending free agents Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson to substantial, long-term contracts would have major financial implications for the Warriors – upward of $300MM per year, potentially – but franchise owner Joe Lacob doesn’t think luxury tax and salary costs are the issue heading forward, Tim Kawakami of The Athletic writes.
“We can do whatever we want [financially],” Lacob said. “And you should expect that that’s not going to be a reason this team … doesn’t stay great going forward. We have the capital to pay our players what they deserve. And we will.”
Kawakami notes that this is a change in tone from what we’ve heard from the team’s ownership group in the past. There may be several factors responsible for that, including the “unprecedented influx of cash” that the team’s new stadium is expected to bring. The Warriors will begin playing at the Chase Center next fall.
There’s more from the Bay Area tonight:
- The Warriors are in somewhat of a holding pattern until Durant makes his decision whether to remain with the franchise or move elsewhere, Kawakami notes in the above-mentioned article. These dynamics may have put Anthony Davis just out of reach for the team. “The best thing for us to do is keep our great players together as long as we can, as long as we should, and then develop on the margins,” Lacob said.
- With free agency looming and the Knicks posturing to be a major player, New York appears to at the very least be an option for Durant. Kevin O’Connor of The Ringers writes that the forward has wavered between staying or leaving all season.
- Since the blockbuster trade that freed up two max contract slots in the Knicks’ books last Thursday, Durant has been quieter than usual, Mark Medina of The Mercury News writes. Durant has avoided post-game interviews after each of Golden State’s last two matchups.
Lacob, my man, pull the checkbook out and sign KD and Thompson ASAP…
Money isn’t the issue for KD. I’m sure Golden State would sign KD for any amount. In regards to Thompson, the team hasn’t signed him because he can make more money if he waits til this offseason to sign. Thompson stood to make more money by waiting for this offseason to sign as opposed to signing last offseason (or this mid season) as part of a contract extension.
Money is the issue for KD. The “only” thing KD has said about free agency is he wants a max contract this time.
I think KD wants to feel respected and needed. The distractions and the deep personal scrutiny are toxic. He will go where the respect is, where the brotherhood is, and where he can put his heart and sweat on the court and let it be all about basketball. Lacob has the right message, and I’m sure Durant hears it.
I’ve been saying it all year and I still believe that KD will stay one more year then bolt. He wants to play in that new arena I think. I believe the Knicks will get a good draft pick and sign Kemba or Kyrie this offseason and then land KD the follow offseason.
Who would Kemba or Kyrie want to go to the Knicks without KD?
It’s an arena bro, people don’t play their career for an arena KD is getting older wants to fix the evil GS put on his legacy ASAP!
Wavered lol, like Durant has a secret diary that only the media can read so they know what he is thinking at all times. Just like Kyrie just happened to change his mind about Boston when he talked to LezBron
I mean don’t always believe the rumors, but considering just how many respected writers/analysts have said that KD staying in Golden State isn’t a sure thing you have to believe its true. Is KD talking directly to media? No. But that doesn’t stop people from his camp/inner circle letting a rumor slip. Nor does it stop someone from within the team (player, front office personnel, etc) from sharing their thoughts about KD’s situation.