NBA Free Agency 2018: Most impactful signings of the summer

1. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors

Just like the last season’s ultimate outcome, Kevin Durant re-upping with the Golden State Warriors surprised precisely no one. That he did the home team a favor by signing for less money than he could have, thus allowing them to sign Boogie using the taxpayer midlevel exception, was icing on the cake.

What was a little surprising (and caused more than a few ripples through the league rumor mill) was his decision to sign a 1 + 1 contract that will allow him to re-enter free agency as soon as next summer if he so chooses.

Make no mistake about it: the question of how long Durant stays in the Bay Area is the only one that matters in the NBA. Steph is locked up long term. Klay has already all but confirmed he isn’t going anywhere. Draymond Green would be foolish to test his act anywhere else. With a new arena opening in a year, the Joe Lacob money trees will have no problem staying in full bloom enough to keep everyone rolling in green. The sustainability of the perhaps the most dominant dynasty the NBA has known in the modern era rests squarely on the shoulders of one man.

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Given that we just saw perhaps the best player ever make a business decision to choose his next career stop (it was a family decision second and a basketball decision a distant third), the idea that Durant will stay with the Warriors in perpetuity because they provide him with the best chance to keep winning championships is foolish. Fans have no idea what he’ll decide to do next. No one does.

For now though, thanks to KD’s temporary loyalty, the Warriors will be prohibitive favorites once again. Twelve months from now, however, this list figures to be a whole lot more interesting.