Superstar forward Kevin Durant’s new deal with the Brooklyn Nets reportedly includes a player option after year three.
At the beginning of NBA free agency, superstar Kevin Durant revealed his destination for the coming years. Durant was involved in a sign-and-trade that sent him to the Brooklyn Nets on a four-year, $164 million deal.
Now, a report has come out from Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports that Durant’s deal includes a player option. The deal thus becomes a three-plus-one deal.
That being said, Durant will have the option to opt-out after the 2021-22 season and be eligible for unrestricted free agency at what will be age 33 for the 10-time All-Star.
Under these terms, KD has ability to hit free-agency in 2022 at 33, the same year as LeBron James if he doesn’t pick up his option. https://t.co/R2rESckdVo
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 10, 2019
Durant will be out for most, if not all, of the 2019-20 season with a ruptured Achilles sustained in Game 5 of this past NBA Finals.
If Durant is out all of this upcoming season, that would mean the Nets are only guaranteed to have a healthy Durant for two seasons.
And yes, Durant and LeBron James, if both opt-out, will be free agents at the same time. However, Durant will be 33 at that time and LeBron, on the other hand, will be 37.
With the acquisitions of Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan, the Nets could be contenders for years to come. However, Irving and Jordan will have to run the show this year with Durant nursing his Achilles injury.
The Nets had a wildly successful offseason, but they have to capitalize on their big summer. There’s no guarantee that the Nets’ championship window will be open for long due to the flexible nature of Durant’s contract.
