Kevin Durant signs extension with the Nets

2021-08-08 14:30
Credit: USA Today Sports – Scanpix
Credit USA Today Sports – Scanpix

The Brooklyn Nets have signed forward Kevin Durant to a multi-year contract extension. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it is believed to be a four-year pact in the $198 million range.

Durant (32, 2.08) is an 11-time All-Star and two-time NBA Finals MVP when he won titles with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018. He left the Warriors following the 2018-19 season, which ended in a loss to the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Finals. Durant ruptured his Achilles during the series, causing him to sit out all of 2019-20.

"We know who he is. Kevin Durant will establish his legacy in Brooklyn as one of the greatest ever," said franchise Governor Joe Tsai in a statement.

"Kevin is a transcendent talent who continues to drive and push this franchise and the game of basketball globally,” added Nets General Manager Sean Marks. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with him for years to come. Kevin’s impact both on and off the court cannot be overstated. His unparalleled drive and leadership generate sustained excellence from himself while also elevating the performance of his teammates, positioning this organization to continue the pursuit of our championship goals in Brooklyn.”

Durant was acquired by Brooklyn via a sign-and-trade with Golden State on July 7, 2019. He appeared in 35 games during the 2020-21 regular season, registering averages of 26.9 points on a career-best 53.7 percent shooting from the field, a career-best 45.0 percent shooting from 3-point range, and 88.2 percent shooting from the free-throw line, 7.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 33.1 minutes per game.

He led the Nets to the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they lost to eventual NBA champions Milwaukee Bucks in 7-game series. Durant scored 48 points, added nine rebounds and six assists in 53 minutes in an overtime loss in Game 7.

Just one day ago Durant earned his third career Olympic gold medal, earning the MVP award of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Basketball Tournament. He previously won gold in 2012 in London and 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, becoming just the second player in Olympic men’s basketball history to earn three gold medals, joining Carmelo Anthony. He’s also the all-time leading scorer in U.S. Men’s Basketball Olympic history.



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