Kevin Durant off to Brooklyn Nets in $164.3 million 4 year deal

The next time Kevin Durant plays in an NBA game, he will be wearing a Brooklyn Nets uniform, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports.

The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

Durant planned to make a formal announcement Sunday on The Boardroom’s Instagram channel. Regardless, this brings a quick resolution to the 10-time All-Star’s free-agent decision.

It is a max salary deal for four years, $164.3 million.

The Nets also are expected to get a commitment from Kyrie Irving shortly after free agency opens officially at 6 p.m. ET Sunday.

Durant spent the three previous seasons with Golden State, winning championships and Finals MVP awards in 2017 and 2018, but the Warriors were stopped by Toronto and injuries last season. Durant sustained a calf injury in the Western Conference semifinals and didn’t return until Game 5 of the NBA Finals where he ruptured his Achilles in the second quarter.

Even though Durant is expected to miss all of the 2019-20 season recovering and rehabbing, there is belief around the league he will return to All-Star level. That’s why teams were willing to spend max salary dollars on Durant despite the injury.

Before the injury, Durant established himself as one of the best players in the world. He is one of the game’s all-time great scorers and was on pace to finish his career as one of the top-five scorers in NBA history. He averaged 20.3 points his rookie season and at least 25.3 every season since, including 32 in 2013-14 with Oklahoma City and 26 last season with Golden State.

But the 6-9 Durant is more than a scorer. He is a rebounder, passer and became a top-notch defender.

Last year, LeBron James also announced his decision on the first day of free agency rather than drawing out the process.

Source: USAToday