Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2019: 20 best players available

By Brendon Kleen

Mandatory Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images /
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OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – MAY 08: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during their game against the Houston Rockets in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 08, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – MAY 08: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during their game against the Houston Rockets in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 08, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

2. Kevin Durant, F, Golden State Warriors, Player Option/Unrestricted

Nearly every angle of Durant’s upcoming free agency decision has been poked at since he went down with a ruptured right Achilles’ tendon a couple of minutes into the second quarter of Game 5 of the Finals.

Among the options facing the all-time great forward: enter the final year of his contract with the Warriors, collect $31.8 million, and resurface in 2020 to determine his future; sign a four-year maximum deal with another organization this summer worth up to $164 million; or re-sign with Golden State on a five-year deal worth up to $221 million.

Regardless, teams have made it clear that the Achilles’ injury changes little about their intentions to lock Durant into a lucrative new contract. This includes the Warriors re-signing the man who brought them two titles as well as the Knicks, Nets or Clippers, who seek to pair Durant with another superstar in free agency. Durant will still have options, though these teams’ training staffs and amenities may become a more important part of Durant’s decision than they previously would have been.

Brooklyn seems to have Kyrie Irving on lock, while the Knicks offer an opportunity for one more year of tanking after which they will be in even better position to make a trade for the next superstar who becomes available and will maintain max cap space in 2020. The Clippers are co-favorites to land Kawhi Leonard and could pair Durant with the 2019 Finals MVP.

Where Durant goes has no impact on the 2020 season after his injury, but the implications down the road and in this year’s market more broadly make Durant a key piece to watch once free agency hits.

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