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NBA Free Agency 2017: Blake Griffin and the 10 biggest player option decisions

By John Buhler

Apr 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) reacts to a foul call in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Clippers won 115-104. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) reacts to a foul call in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Clippers won 115-104. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) in action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Golden State Warriors won 119-108. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) in action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Golden State Warriors won 119-108. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kevin Durant

Small Forward, Golden State Warriors

Whether or not if he wins an NBA Championship with the Golden State Warriors this June, small forward Kevin Durant will again be the marquee player to hit NBA free agency. He signed with Golden State after nine years with the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder organization on a two-year, $54.3 million deal.

Durant could opt in to the second year of his two-year contract and would make $27,734,406. We really aren’t going to know where Durant’s head is at heading into this summer until we know how the Warriors do in the 2017 NBA Playoffs. Should they win it all, he could opt in just to delay the highly publicized courtship. Then again, he may want to leave the Bay Area after a year since he came there to win a ring.

Now if the Warriors fall short of wining their second NBA title in three seasons, are we sure Durant would have the audacity to opt out and re-up with the Warriors for even more money? Doing that would actually be a worse move for his public relations. It would look tremendously vain and make him increasingly less likable/relatable.

If he should opt out and walk after the Warriors lose in the NBA Playoffs, now what is his image? Losing and staying with the Warriors for another year would make him a villain, but there is a sliver of respect that could come with embracing being hated.

Next: 30 best NBA players who never won a championship

Playing on a third team in three years and no rings to show for it would be tough sledding on public perception. Basically, Durant needs to win a championship with the Warriors yesterday or else the associated awkwardness would be beyond cringeworthy to endure. Then again, human beings love car crashes more than anything and Durant’s impending free agency would dominate the sports headlines for most of the summer.

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