If KD really has torn his achilles

[RJ87]

I understand that KD is a much better player than Cousins, but that money was certainly not there for Cousins when he was going into his FA in a similar circumstance.

I agree that at this point NYK probably just need to take a chance and go for it. Who really cares if they are bad for another year? They will get another high draft pick they can use in a trade next year. I assumed that Durant would just opt-in to the last year, but no reason to do that if max money is on the table over multiple years. I am sure he will come back at least 'very good', but there are no guarantees with this injury.

Cousins had so much other baggage though.

[jambr380]

I understand that KD is a much better player than Cousins, but that money was certainly not there for Cousins when he was going into his FA in a similar circumstance.

I agree that at this point NYK probably just need to take a chance and go for it. Who really cares if they are bad for another year? They will get another high draft pick they can use in a trade next year. I assumed that Durant would just opt-in to the last year, but no reason to do that if max money is on the table over multiple years. I am sure he will come back at least 'very good', but there are no guarantees with this injury.

Cousins had so much other baggage though.

Oh, I agree, which is why I said what I did in the 2nd paragraph. KD getting a max contract AFTER a devastating injury will pretty much be unprecedented, right? It goes to show just how desperate teams are to add top end talent.

[Boris Badenov]

The domino effect on other FAs is going to be fascinating.

Close to home, if Kyrie is dead set on playing with KD, what does he do? I doubt he wants to go somewhere else and struggle to make the playoffs. Would he have an incentive to re-sign with the Cs for one year, with a player option?

[Fan from VT]

I think he is going to opt in with GSW.

Another thought: What effect would such an injury have on Kyrie’s decision? Losing out on playing with KD next season is a big deal.

Does he think more seriously about coming back to Boston? Or going to the Lakers?

What effect does this have on Knicks pursuit of AD, if KD can’t play next season?

This, to me, is the bigger question. Durant is so good that some team(s) will offer him the max and just rehab him for the lost year, then hope that you pay for 4 years and get 3, which is still worth it. But if you are Kyrie, does this change your calculus? Do you want to go to a team like NY that blows it's space on 2 max guys, one of whom can't play for a year? So you are basically tossing out a year of your prime on a skeleton crew? I don't know. I think it helps the C's maybe keep Kyrie, hopefully.

[ETNCeltics]

Given Durant's size, the lateness in the season of the injury, it may be nearly 2 seasons before he's back up 100%.

That's a huge gamble, even for the NYK, and not likely to entice any current star to go with him. I think he stays in GSW now. 

[RJ87]

The domino effect on other FAs is going to be fascinating.

Close to home, if Kyrie is dead set on playing with KD, what does he do? I doubt he wants to go somewhere else and struggle to make the playoffs. Would he have an incentive to re-sign with the Cs for one year, with a player option?

The Nets are much smarter these days, I can't see them offering a guy coming off an Achilles injury a max. I do think the Knicks could still offer him a max deal, but can they convince a second FA to wait for KD though? If you're Kyrie and you just went through the Gordon Hayward experience, are you comfortable losing 2 more years to another dude's leg?

[jpotter33]

I still think you see GS offer him the full five year max, and I think it’s become likelier now that he seriously considers it.

Think about it - the Warriors minus Durant will still put them in good position for the playoffs next year, so if he can make it back by next year’s playoffs (doubtful to be anywhere close to himself yet even if he does) he could be looking at another chance for a ring sooner than later. Also, restarting all again after this injury without the type of loaded cast of stars that he has now just became that much more daunting, so the smart play now is clearly to re-up with the Warriors. And should the Warriors go on to lose this series, Durant’s legacy will be benefitted, as it highlights him as an integral piece rather than just “icing on the cake”.

You definitely have to think that this affects Kyrie’s decision now, too. Could very well see him doing a 1 + 1 now and re-upping with us after an AD trade. That would be a fun season of rumors and conjecture lol

[jpotter33]

The domino effect on other FAs is going to be fascinating.

Close to home, if Kyrie is dead set on playing with KD, what does he do? I doubt he wants to go somewhere else and struggle to make the playoffs. Would he have an incentive to re-sign with the Cs for one year, with a player option?

The Nets are much smarter these days, I can't see them offering a guy coming off an Achilles injury a max. I do think the Knicks could still offer him a max deal, but can they convince a second FA to wait for KD though? If you're Kyrie and you just went through the Gordon Hayward experience, are you comfortable losing 2 more years to another dude's leg?

That’s an excellent point, RJ. Kyrie just saw that even getting back onto the court is just the first step, and it will likely be another full season after getting back on the court for KD to get back anywhere where he was prior to the injury, though I don’t think he’s ever the same player again pushing 31 with that many miles on his legs and his size and mobility.

[RazzelnoDazzel]

I still think you see GS offer him the full five year max, and I think it’s become likelier now that he seriously considers it.

Think about it - the Warriors minus Durant will still put them in good position for the playoffs next year, so if he can make it back by next year’s playoffs (doubtful to be anywhere close to himself yet even if he does) he could be looking at another chance for a ring sooner than later. Also, restarting all again after this injury without the type of loaded cast of stars that he has now just became that much more daunting, so the smart play now is clearly to re-up with the Warriors. And should the Warriors go on to lose this series, Durant’s legacy will be benefitted, as it highlights him as an integral piece rather than just “icing on the cake”.

You definitely have to think that this affects Kyrie’s decision now, too. Could very well see him doing a 1 + 1 now and re-upping with us after an AD trade. That would be a fun season of rumors and conjecture lol

I can agree with this. I’m thinking this could possibly affect all of FA when players take gambles on contract length, so I’m looking at Kyrie and idc where he ends up but I hope he takes the max wherever he is. Anything can happen out there.

[Erik]

Just because Knicks are dumb enough to offer him a max deal doesn't mean that other free agents are. Which free agent is going to sign wherever KD signs and throw away a year at minimum of their career with that locked up salary.

That means they cannot sign him (since he signs alone). It's way too risky. He's opting in for sure.

[nickagneta]

Does Durant's familiarity with the Warriors medical and training staff keep him in GSW next year? If he signs with another team, suddenly he is dealing with an unfamiliar medical group, different trainers and different physical therapists. Would this play a part on whether he opts into that final year or re-up with Golden State? If he has high confidence in the Warriors' medical team, he might be playing at GSW for a while.

[Moranis]

I understand that KD is a much better player than Cousins, but that money was certainly not there for Cousins when he was going into his FA in a similar circumstance.

I agree that at this point NYK probably just need to take a chance and go for it. Who really cares if they are bad for another year? They will get another high draft pick they can use in a trade next year. I assumed that Durant would just opt-in to the last year, but no reason to do that if max money is on the table over multiple years. I am sure he will come back at least 'very good', but there are no guarantees with this injury.

If he doesn't get a full max contract offer he'll opt in. So I think he'll have that on the table from NYK and GSW.

He has to opt in before the season flips over doesn't he?  Meaning he would have to make that decision before free agency even starts.

[Moranis]

Does Durant's familiarity with the Warriors medical and training staff keep him in GSW next year? If he signs with another team, suddenly he is dealing with an unfamiliar medical group, different trainers and different physical therapists. Would this play a part on whether he opts into that final year or re-up with Golden State? If he has high confidence in the Warriors' medical team, he might be playing at GSW for a while.

might depend on who cleared and pushed him to play.  If the medical staff said he was fine and the execs were really pushing him to get out there, he might not trust the organization at all given he just injured his Achilles after potentially being pushed back early. 

[Fafnir]

I understand that KD is a much better player than Cousins, but that money was certainly not there for Cousins when he was going into his FA in a similar circumstance.

I agree that at this point NYK probably just need to take a chance and go for it. Who really cares if they are bad for another year? They will get another high draft pick they can use in a trade next year. I assumed that Durant would just opt-in to the last year, but no reason to do that if max money is on the table over multiple years. I am sure he will come back at least 'very good', but there are no guarantees with this injury.

If he doesn't get a full max contract offer he'll opt in. So I think he'll have that on the table from NYK and GSW.

He has to opt in before the season flips over doesn't he?  Meaning he would have to make that decision before free agency even starts.

Yes.

Too bad no one in the league makes contract offers before they are supposed to.  Really makes it tough for Durant to know what GSW/NYK will truly offer him. 

[nickagneta]

I understand that KD is a much better player than Cousins, but that money was certainly not there for Cousins when he was going into his FA in a similar circumstance.

I agree that at this point NYK probably just need to take a chance and go for it. Who really cares if they are bad for another year? They will get another high draft pick they can use in a trade next year. I assumed that Durant would just opt-in to the last year, but no reason to do that if max money is on the table over multiple years. I am sure he will come back at least 'very good', but there are no guarantees with this injury.

If he doesn't get a full max contract offer he'll opt in. So I think he'll have that on the table from NYK and GSW.

He has to opt in before the season flips over doesn't he?  Meaning he would have to make that decision before free agency even starts.

This is true. I think he has until Thursday to decide to opt in or out.