NBA Rumors: Kevin Durant Free Agency Costs Draymond Green Warriors' Slot; Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry Accept Lower Pay

By Mitch de Leon
NBA: Playoffs-Golden State Warriors at Oklahoma City Thunder
May 28, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) drives to the basket in front of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) during the third quarter in game six of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena.  Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The Golden State Warriors started off the NBA season with an incredible run. Throughout the year, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green proved their dominance in the hardwood court as they put to shame the likes of Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs; Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat; and James Harden and Dwight Howard of the Houston Rockets. However, the Golden State Warriors proved to be a bust when they fell to LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals.

With the NBA season finally over and the disappointing settling in the Golden State Warriors, reports surface that the Stephen Curry squad has no intention of wallowing in their failures. In fact, the front office is reportedly looking into ways to boost the roster to ensure that the NBA Finals trophy will be back in the Golden State Warriors locker room by the next season. With this in mind, a clear solution presents itself to the Klay Thompson team: Kevin Durant.

The Kevin Durant free agency train has a number of NBA teams interested. Even mid-season, speculations of the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings and Boston Celtics wooing the Oklahoma City Thunder star have been surfacing left and right. In fact, even the San Antonio Spurs wanted KD to play alongside Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge and Danny Green next season. However, the most intriguing team to open up about their interest in signing the 2014 MVP is the Golden State Warriors.

It is no secret that the asking price of Kevin Durant will be hefty. Given his skills and experience in the hardwood court, the co-leader of Russell Westbrook in the OKC roster is a prized catch for any NBA team. How will the Golden State Warriors afford him?

This might just be the silver lining for the Golden State Warriors. With the disappointing performances of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in the NBA Finals, especially in Game 7 where LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving delivered stunning chemistry and determination to win, the front office of the former champs might just have the trump card to counter potential demands for max contracts. Should this happen, then the cheap contract of Stephen Curry could provide the NBA team enough cap space to lure KD in the roster.

Moreover, Draymond Green proved to be a difficult player when pressured. During the crucial NBA Finals run in the home turf of the Cleveland Cavaliers, he managed to get himself suspended - a penalty that cost the Golden State Warriors the pivotal Game 5 in the series. While removing Draymond Green from the roster will be a risky move, the possibility of signing Kevin Durant instead would be more than worth it for the Stephen Curry team.

However, will Kevin Durant be willing to sign with the Golden State Warriors to form a super team with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson? Or will he consider the San Antonio Spurs a better option with basically the same level of talent but with less drama alongside Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge and Danny Green?

What about Russell Westbrook? Will Kevin Durant leave his OKC buddy? Or will he wait for Westbrook to join the free agency market for them to make the move together?

The answers remain vague. At the moment, Kevin Durant chooses to keep mum on the free agency rumors swirling around him.

"I'm worried about basketball," said Kevin Durant when asked of his free agency plans. He added, That's what it is for me. It's a basketball decision. I'm looking forward to the future."

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