Durant Meeting (Merged)

[Chris22]

It's being reported that Jerry West called Durant and gave him the hard sell, talking about how the playoff losses still ate at him after all these years...
F Jerry West...

Bill Russell should call him and tell him that he still loves thinking about all those titles he DID WIN IN BOSTON. F Jerry West. We can top that!

Sweet. TP

[rondohondo]

I actually love the fact national media is.counting out the Celtics. Calm before the storm

[saltlover]

Seems like Bulpett was the first to insist the decision would be tomorrow when others were sticking to the general 24-36 hour original timeline or expecting an announcement tonight.

Does it mean anything that a Boston guy had the more specific timing right first?

This is what I was thinking. Bulpett was the first to say it's tomorrow and it's not based off money? Then Blakely tweet out that Ainge is at the summer league, got off the plan with a grin on his face?

Honestly, "it's not about money" is best news for teams other than the Celtics, who have max cap space.  The Heat don't, for instance.  The Warriors can, but have to jump through a lot of hoops to get there.

I'd say it's best news for teams other than the Thunder, since they can pay Durant the most.

That was my interpretation, too. Not that he was going to take a first year pay-cut.

I was having a little fun being a negative Nancy.  What it really means is that he's more likely to sign a multi-year deal.  If it were about he money, he'd hit free agency again next season.

Still don't see the appeal of a long-term deal wherever he goes. If teams are willing, which they are, it doesn't make sense to A) not keep options open, and B) not make more money in the process. The 1 + 1 doesn't necessarily mean that he still wants to do this thing again next summer. Rather, it's just a business move.

It depends on the team.  If he signs a 4-year deal in Boston, we could still have some cap room next summer to continue improving the team, either by free agency or even by taking on long-term salary this season.  If he hits free agency next summer, the Celtics could create enough cap room to sign him, but that would be it as far as moves go.

Same would be true with Golden State.  Iggy could be extended this summer potentially, and they could wind up with $20 million in cap space, giving them the opportunity to either add another large contract, or rebuild their bench with a few more bargain deals.  If KD hits free agency again, they'd lose about $11 million of that cap space.

[ashanm10]

is it not possible for him to sign a one year deal here and then a long contract for next years money?

[rondohondo]

I wonder if Brady told him how he takes less money to build a team around him?

[Chris22]

David Aldridge: Kevin Durant will make his decision tomorrow, I’m told.

[flybono]

If he signs a "1+1" deal and becomes a free agent the following summer, he could conceivably sign a five-year extension with the Thunder that would tally something close to $234 million - that's nearly a quarter of a billion dollars in a six-year span - which is significantly more than he will make if he signs with another team this summer or long-term with another team in the summer of 2017.

How much $ is enough. If he is looking to win a ring after 9 years the Western Conference is still stacked with Clips, Spurs, GST and a few teams on the rise.
The East is wide open if Boston makes a few more moves for Durant..

[kozlodoev]

https://twitter.com/InsideHoops/status/749785653588754432

Not sure how reliable this is, but it says he's hearing "wild rumblings" about KD tumors. Hopefully wild = against popular opinion = going to C's!

Oh man I can't 

I really hope KD has no tumors :/

[jpotter33]

https://twitter.com/InsideHoops/status/749785653588754432

Not sure how reliable this is, but it says he's hearing "wild rumblings" about KD tumors. Hopefully wild = against popular opinion = going to C's!

When did Durant get cancer?

Haha! That's why I hate posting on my iPhone rather than laptop lol

That same InsideHoops account just tweeted that sources told them Heat are still in the running with OKC/GSW.

No mention of Celts, and was bummed to see they had 260k followers.

Uhhh ****

Guys, there's literally been reports of almost every single position right now lol So let's not freak out to every single one. Bulpett knows his stuff, and it makes no sense that the HEAT of all teams would be in the running still and us not. It's unclear how they'd even get the room to sign him, if Bosh will ever even play again, and if Wade will even be a member of the Heat next year..

He's still considering us, and we'll know what he'll end up doing tomorrow.

[outcry]

Why the hell would he even consider Miami? That just makes me think no one knows anything right now and they're just throwing Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline. against the wall hoping something sticks.

[BDeCosta26]

Seems like Bulpett was the first to insist the decision would be tomorrow when others were sticking to the general 24-36 hour original timeline or expecting an announcement tonight.

Does it mean anything that a Boston guy had the more specific timing right first?

This is what I was thinking. Bulpett was the first to say it's tomorrow and it's not based off money? Then Blakely tweet out that Ainge is at the summer league, got off the plan with a grin on his face?

Honestly, "it's not about money" is best news for teams other than the Celtics, who have max cap space.  The Heat don't, for instance.  The Warriors can, but have to jump through a lot of hoops to get there.

I'd say it's best news for teams other than the Thunder, since they can pay Durant the most.

That was my interpretation, too. Not that he was going to take a first year pay-cut.

I was having a little fun being a negative Nancy.  What it really means is that he's more likely to sign a multi-year deal.  If it were about he money, he'd hit free agency again next season.

Still don't see the appeal of a long-term deal wherever he goes. If teams are willing, which they are, it doesn't make sense to A) not keep options open, and B) not make more money in the process. The 1 + 1 doesn't necessarily mean that he still wants to do this thing again next summer. Rather, it's just a business move.

Some people just don't want to run their life like a buisness.

Sure, you could do that and make more money, but what if you get injured severely? He's already had a big injury, and another one could be devastating and tank that possible windfall. Also, "keeping the options open" is nice, but it's only nice if you run a business. Some people want to just pick a place and commit.

Not every player has an interest in holding their teams hostage year after year and force them into rash decisions based on their ability to leave/not leave. Not everyone is like LeBron.

And thank god for that. Durant has already made hundreds of millions playing basketball, and hundreds of millions more selling shoes. More than we can even fathom. For a guy like him, the money and the leverage mean a lot less compared to stability and commitment.

[jpotter33]

Seems like Bulpett was the first to insist the decision would be tomorrow when others were sticking to the general 24-36 hour original timeline or expecting an announcement tonight.

Does it mean anything that a Boston guy had the more specific timing right first?

This is what I was thinking. Bulpett was the first to say it's tomorrow and it's not based off money? Then Blakely tweet out that Ainge is at the summer league, got off the plan with a grin on his face?

Honestly, "it's not about money" is best news for teams other than the Celtics, who have max cap space.  The Heat don't, for instance.  The Warriors can, but have to jump through a lot of hoops to get there.

I'd say it's best news for teams other than the Thunder, since they can pay Durant the most.

That was my interpretation, too. Not that he was going to take a first year pay-cut.

I was having a little fun being a negative Nancy.  What it really means is that he's more likely to sign a multi-year deal.  If it were about he money, he'd hit free agency again next season.

Still don't see the appeal of a long-term deal wherever he goes. If teams are willing, which they are, it doesn't make sense to A) not keep options open, and B) not make more money in the process. The 1 + 1 doesn't necessarily mean that he still wants to do this thing again next summer. Rather, it's just a business move.

It depends on the team.  If he signs a 4-year deal in Boston, we could still have some cap room next summer to continue improving the team, either by free agency or even by taking on long-term salary this season.  If he hits free agency next summer, the Celtics could create enough cap room to sign him, but that would be it as far as moves go.

Same would be true with Golden State.  Iggy could be extended this summer potentially, and they could wind up with $20 million in cap space, giving them the opportunity to either add another large contract, or rebuild their bench with a few more bargain deals.  If KD hits free agency again, they'd lose about $11 million of that cap space.

Ah, I guess there is that aspect of it, which makes sense. Though I still think it was mainly referring to not necessarily going to OKC just because of the money.

But if it was meant to signal that he's open to a multi-year deal, doesn't that help us the most, since we'll have the most cap space next year without any major re-signings we would have to do (like Curry or Aldridge)?

[tankcity!]

Hahahah. The media has no idea what's going on. Not surprised. Durant has always been tight lipped. Same with Westbrook. Nobody knows.

[86MaxwellSmart]

Why the hell would he even consider Miami? That just makes me think no one knows anything right now and they're just throwing **** against the wall hoping something sticks.

The move to Miami thing has already been done....Doubt Durant wants to repeat that.

[jbpats]

A. Sharod is reporting we have a strong chance still... We must be out of the running