OAKLAND – In what might be another signal of his expected departure, Kevin Durant opted out of his player option that would have paid him $31.5 million to be with the Warriors next season, according to ESPN.
Durant had planned to opt out of his player option ever since re-signing with the Warriors last summer. It did not become official, though, until Wednesday. Durant had until Saturday to decide.
Still, the move formally eliminated any possibility he would not entertain free agency and solely focus on spending next season rehabbing his surgically repaired right Achilles tendon.
Durant could have considered that in hopes of then landing either a five-year deal with the Warriors or a four-year deal next summer.