Durant takes a legit pay cut

[Monster]

It was common knowledge he was going to take some less money this offseason but it was at least double what was expected. It means more money for guys like Livingston and Iggy while lowering the amount his team had to pay in Lux tax. It's cool to see someone who could have absolutely gotten and earned the bigger payday to turn it down to keep players around him even if it is a super team.

[Lipoli390]

If I'm understanding the contract, Durant is taking about $20 million less over this 2-year contract. Is that right? If so, my hats off to him. Durant's not hard to figure out. He wants to have fun and win in as low pressure environment as possible. I think the burden in OKC, combined with Westbrook's intensity, was too uncomfortable for him. When he saw the chance to go to the best team in the League where he knew they could win (and had won) a championship without him, he jumped on it. And he was willing to accept a lot less money to stay. I don't like his lack of competitive zeal. But I do respect his values and willingness to sacrifice financially beyond what we typically see from professional athletes today.

[60WinTim]

Yeah, I respect Durant a bit more for doing that. Of course, he can still opt out after the first year...

[TheGrey08]

Yeah, I respect Durant a bit more for doing that. Of course, he can still opt out after the first year...

Same, but I still really hate that he left OKC for GS. It was the weakest move possible. So sick of these super teams... and we thought big threes were bad.. now we have elite foursomes.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

If that money was being used for other salaries, I'd admire the guy, but they already signed those other guys so arguably, the only reason to take a pay cut is to save his Silicon Valley investment banking owners from paying the luxury tax.

Basketball players are ridiculously overpaid, but not as ridiculously overpaid as NBA team-owning Silicon Valley investment bankers. Durant should have screwed them.

EDIT: Damnit, I can't find one good clip of Montgomery Burns saying "excellent" in his evil voice!

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

Yeah, I respect Durant a bit more for doing that. Of course, he can still opt out after the first year...

Same, but I still really hate that he left OKC for GS. It was the weakest move possible. So sick of these super teams... and we thought big threes were bad.. now we have elite foursomes.

Agreed. There isn't much Durant can do that will ever win me back. Hate the era of the super teams.

[TheFuture]

If that money was being used for other salaries, I'd admire the guy, but they already signed those other guys so arguably, the only reason to take a pay cut is to save his Silicon Valley investment banking owners from paying the luxury tax.

Basketball players are ridiculously overpaid, but not as ridiculously overpaid as NBA team-owning Silicon Valley investment bankers. Durant should have screwed them.

EDIT: Damnit, I can't find one good clip of Montgomery Burns saying "excellent" in his evil voice!

Yeah, Lacob and Guber bought that franchise in 2010 for $450 million. Today's value, $2.6 billion. Take the damn money, and make him pay the tax. They can keep Curry, Klay, Draymond, and Durant for as long as they want if Lacob ponies up, as well as anyone else they have rights on currently or will in the future from draft picks.Curry saw it, Durant should have. I'd bet Klay and Green won't pass up the $. The only issues they could run into is if they had a string of injuries while over the apron.