National Basketball Association

[Stan Silliman]

You don't have to take the max. I believe Kevin Durant has the best package of endorsement and he can double his value by taking a little less. If you're a charismatic super star being a winner enhances your long term value more than being the highest paid guy in the league.

Michael Jordan used that business plan to become a billionaire. With an endorsement package paying him between $ 30 and $ 40 M per year he accepted a salary of $ 3 million for several years. This allowed the Bulls to stay under the cap and surround MJ with decent players. It was a deferred payment plan with Jordan collecting $ 35 million salary in his last two years with the Bulls.

The Big 3 at the Heat - James, Wade and Bosh - all accepted the same salary at near the max but still less that what Kobe or Amare Stoudemier were getting.

Durant, with his close to $ 60 million in endorsements, doesn't need the max for financial security like say, Carmello Anthony, as much he can benefit by being a champion.

[zookeeper]

You don't have to take the max. I believe Kevin Durant has the best package of endorsement and he can double his value by taking a little less. If you're a charismatic super star being a winner enhances your long term value more than being the highest paid guy in the league.

Michael Jordan used that business plan to become a billionaire. With an endorsement package paying him between $ 30 and $ 40 M per year he accepted a salary of $ 3 million for several years. This allowed the Bulls to stay under the cap and surround MJ with decent players. It was a deferred payment plan with Jordan collecting $ 35 million salary in his last two years with the Bulls.

The Big 3 at the Heat - James, Wade and Bosh - all accepted the same salary at near the max but still less that what Kobe or Amare Stoudemier were getting.

Durant, with his close to $ 60 million in endorsements, doesn't need the max for financial security like say, Carmello Anthony, as much he can benefit by being a champion.

Good insight, Stan. Thanks for this post - makes perfect sense.

[BoulderSooner]

EVERYBODY is going to "go hard" for KD. Problem is, a max deal is a max deal is a max deal. Nobody can outbid anyone else, so the ONLY variable is situational, not monetary. Can a team offer KD a better chance of winning a ring? Are they willing to go substantially over the cap to acquire the teammates that will get him that ring? That's really all that it boils down to. GS is already built to be a championship-caliber team, but how much of the existing team will have to be dealt to make room for KD?

If OKC stays healthy next year it is as suited as any team in the league to win it all. If they DO win it, I think it is nearly-guaranteed that he re-signs here. But if everything falls apart yet again, THAT is when we should get very nervous. At that point the ticking clock of his career becomes our enemy.

Frankly I'm a lot more worried about re-signing Russell the NEXT year. We were able to essentially max him - including a five year deal - thanks to what was basically a loophole in the CBA. It allowed us to be one of the only teams (if not THE only) to carry two five year max players under the new CBA. The lack of the ability to carry a third is a part of the reason for the Harden trade. We could only offer him four years, Houston and others could give him five.

When Russell's contract is up, we won't be able to offer him a five year max deal even though we would surely be willing to do so. Other teams WILL be able to do so. Other organizations will have a financial edge in the Russell sweepstakes; they DON'T (and can't) have a financial edge in the KD negotiations no matter how "hard" they go.

Let me correct a few things here that are incorrect.

1. The 1 5 year contract at a time. Is only for players signing after their rookie deals. (Ie 1 5 year Extention at a time) All unrestricted FA's can sign 5 year deals. (Both Kevin this year and Russ next year can as well as surge the year after that. And starting next summer we can give a rookie a 5 year extentiin also). (Thunder could not give harden a 5 year deal because It would have been an Extention off his rookie contract aT the time of the trade.

2. Max deals are not all alike. The thinder can give Kevin (and then Russ). 5 year deals with 7.5% annual raises. Other teams can only give 4.5% raises. Huge money difference.

3. The reason KD and then Russ will become free agents. Is because vets can only sign extensions of 2 years. And they can sign 5 year contracts as free agents

[Laramie]

.

Oklahoma City Thunder has secured the 14th pick.

[okatty]

Houston with ball and chance to win and Hardin can't get a shot off due to Splash Brothers double team. Hardin a brilliant game but he couldnt get shot off at end. Great defensive trap wins game. Heck of a game.

[Anonymous.]

Crazy WCF so far, Houston could have easily won both games, but that second one will sting for a long time. Had a timeout remaining and 12 seconds and you don't even get a shot up to have a chance to win? In hindsight, poor decision making across the board. HOU is going to look back at that one for a long time.

[Richard at Remax]

I understand not calling a timeout when harden is driving, but when he stopped and had to give ball to Dwight Howard at the top of the key, Houston should have called a timeout.

[okatty]

Great game in Clev tonight BUT both series now 3-0...YAWN.

[Laramie]

The Miami Heat & the Washington Wizards are among the suitors for Thunder Superstar Kevin Durant.

Miami offers OKC: South Beach, 789 feet Four Seasons Hotel along with the Florida Marlins .

Miami's plan, according to the Miami Herald's Dan Le Batard, is to re-sign Goran Dragic this summer, then the following summer re-sign Hassan Whiteside and go after Kevin Durant in free agency.

Report: Heat want Wade to use opt-in clause to go after Durant - CBSSports.com

Washington offers OKC: The Nations' Capitol, White House & Washington Monument along with whoever wins the 2017 Presidency .

Durant, a native of Prince George’s County, can be an unrestricted free agent in 2016, when, by an amazing coincidence, the Wizards could have enough salary-cap space to offer him a maximum contract.

Anonymous NBA player is reportedly ?pretty sure? Kevin Durant will join the Wizards - The Washington Post

[Snowman]

The Miami Heat & the Washington Wizards are among the suitors for Thunder Superstar Kevin Durant.

Miami offers OKC: South Beach, 789 feet Four Seasons Hotel along with the Florida Marlins .



Report: Heat want Wade to use opt-in clause to go after Durant - CBSSports.com

Washington offers OKC: The Nations' Capitol, White House & Washington Monument along with whoever wins the 2017 Presidency .



Anonymous NBA player is reportedly ?pretty sure? Kevin Durant will join the Wizards - The Washington Post

Is there any team or fan base that would not love to have him? Expect rumors like this to persist until his next contract is signed and made public

[Laramie]

Exploring The Rise Of Oklahoma City Blue Guard Semaj Christon



Exploring The Rise Of Oklahoma City Blue Guard Semaj Christon - Ridiculous Upside

[okatty]

FInals start tonight. Can get 2-1 odds on the Cavs as the series dog. GS is giving 6 tonight. I think this could be really interesting IF Irving is semi-healthy and if LJ can score from 3 better than he did in the earlier series. He was fantastic in every aspect except his long jumpers which were really bad. Enjoy watching GS play so should be some fun!

[dankrutka]

I got Warriors in 6.

[okatty]

I got Warriors in 6.

It could be that or less now if Irving is out or ineffective. He played great last night and Cavs gave them all they wanted. The last possession by Cavs looked like they phoned Scott Brooks - lets fire up a 3 in a tie game, last possession. They definitely let that one get away - Warriors won a game where they didn't play great which bodes bad for Cavs. But was VERY entertaining game.

[Jersey Boss]

If Kyrie is out this series is over and the ratings will crater.

[okatty]

If Kyrie is out this series is over and the ratings will crater.

Agree. He gives them some chance especially playing at the level he was at last night. Sounds like some serious disagreement between his camp and the team on the injury and whether he can play, pain tolerance, etc. If GS plays the same game plan as last night, Lebron will have 40 plus every game and GS will win the series. Basically let him have his and not allow anyone else in the game. GS can score in BUNCHES.

[Jersey Boss]

Put a fork in the Cavs and the playoffs- they're done.
Kyrie Irving Is Out For The Finals And His Dad And Agent Are Pissed

[dankrutka]

It's inbelievable how easy a road the Warriors have had to the title. Most teams have some kind of heartbreak before winning a title. They've just watched everyone else get injured while benefitting from favorable match ups.

More depressing, this would have been the best season for a Thunder run. Ugh.

[okatty]

It's inbelievable how easy a road the Warriors have had to the title. Most teams have some kind of heartbreak before winning a title. They've just watched everyone else get injured while benefitting from favorable match ups.

More depressing, this would have been the best season for a Thunder run. Ugh.

Every team they have played has had an injured starting pg. they are good but really fortunate too.

[Laramie]

Remember the 2012 NBA Finals when OKC took game 1 opener 105-94. Thunder talk about a championship, parade route and the likes; then we lost the next 4 games.

Golden State, hopefully will not allow themselves to get overconfident.

LeBron James has always had the support players around him when he won championships in Miami. He has the players around him in Cleveland (Irving, Love, Thompson). Yes, the big three (James, Bosh & Wade), along with Mike Miller; let us not forget that Wade had already won an NBA championship (2006) with Miami Heat.

Durant will have the support he needs to go forward. We need to keep him at the 3 (SF) where he has been less prone to injury. You have McGary (PF); along with Ibaka, Collison & Kanter who can play the 4 (PF) or 5 (C) in any given situation. This puts less pressure on Steve Adams. Adams should learn from Donovan-Williams and staff about making 'smart fouls.'

Donovan will give Durant the support he needs to take the Thunder to the next level. Look for players who can play Donovan's style where he gets maximum player potential & performance.

Look for the Thunder to be back in the game...

[okatty]

BIG game 3 tonight. Game 2 was the 9th straight game 2 where LeBron team wins when trailing 1-0. He was included in 76% of Cav's Game 2 baskets (scored or assisted).

[dankrutka]

I still see the Warriors winning in 5 or 6. I don't see what happened in game 2 as being sustainable... But we'll see...

[okatty]

I still see the Warriors winning in 5 or 6. I don't see what happened in game 2 as being sustainable... But we'll see...

Yes, don't see Steph going 2-15 very often. But I will say that is their issue. I was at the game in OKC when both Durant and Westbrook were out and our somewhat rag tag crew took them to the wire because they were ice cold and couldnt buy a 3. Finally hit a few at end to edge us. Cavs are only playing 7 guys and LJ is playing crazy minutes though. Could get worn down in these games where only 1 day break in between. At least at 1-1 it's more interesting to watch!

[okatty]

LJ w 123 in 3 games. Most in finals history. Up 2-1! Very entertaining games so far.

[dankrutka]

LJ w 123 in 3 games. Most in finals history. Up 2-1! Very entertaining games so far.

He's going to set a record for shots too. He's not really efficient; just shooting a ton. But it's working.

I've still got the Warriors.