Kevin Durant's extension eligibility could be a problem for the Thunder...

[warreng88]

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Lost in the seemingly endless discussion and speculation about the upcoming contracts of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh and the rest of the 2010 free-agent class is the fact that yet another elite player has some decisions to make this summer.

Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant, who is tied for second in the league in scoring, is eligible for a contract extension starting July 1. And while the aforementioned big three will undoubtedly secure maximum contracts with their respective suitors, Durant, in many ways, is the linchpin of the upcoming collective-bargaining battle between the league and its players.

Why? In any other season, the Thunder would simply give the blossoming superstar a maximum extension -- likely for around five years and $80 million, similar to what Denver's Carmelo Anthony signed almost four years ago -- and move on to their next order of business. But with a potential lockout looming that is bound to reconfigure the cost structure of the NBA, the Thunder have to consider that waiting to extend Durant's deal until after a new CBA is in place could potentially save the organization up to $25 million over the next five years, assuming the league's desire for some sort of hard cap is implemented.

Read the rest of the article at:

Kevin Durant's extension eligibility could be problem for Thunder - Frank Hughes - SI.com

[rod4soonrs]

NewsOK

[Kerry]

Is it a problem for the Thunder or for Kevin Durant? Seems like the Thunder has a bit of advantage in signing him to a long contact if Durant thinks he might earn less in the long run if he doesn't sign on now.

Leave it to the national media to get things backwards.

[Laramie]

I don't see where it's going to be a problem because other teams don't the CAP space to match the Thunder head-to-head.

We can only hope that the Players' union doesn't become too greedy!

[Sooner]

if it helps at all, i will give my firstborn to keep KD in town for the rest of his career

[nighttrain12]

if it helps at all, i will give my firstborn to keep KD in town for the rest of his career

But is your firstborn a female and over 18?