Top 10 Free Agents of 2018

#2 Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant

The 2017 NBA Finals MVP, Kevin Durant declined his 2017-18 player option to become a free agent for the sole purpose of allowing the Warriors to retain the Bird rights to Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston. Given that he could have secured a max of $34 million per year, it was this gesture that helped the organization produce the finances necessary to get those deals done and therefore recruit and retain talent.

The 2014 MVP has made it clear with this gesture that he wants the core team to be together and that he in it for the long haul with the Dubs.

Durant has adjusted smoothly into the Warriors system and had a great debut season as he won his first championship ring. With a two time MVP and 2 other All-Stars playing alongside him, the Warriors are undoubtedly the best team in the league right now and are on the verge of becoming a dynasty.

Durant has the best chance of adding more championships to his resume by continuing to play with them. It could get interesting if the Warriors lost in the Conference Finals but still highly unlikely that he would not re-sign with the Warriors.

He has a player option for the 2018-19 season worth 26.2 million dollars and he will most likely pick it up unless the team needs him to take a discount for the second consecutive summer.