2014-08-06 11:59
Kevin Durant will not hit the free agent marketplace until July 2016 but the NBA's Most Valuable Player is on the verge of landing a smash sanction deal which could affect his future on the court as well.
Based on a person familiar with discussions, Durant, whose seven-year, $60 million deal with Nike is expiring, could get as much as $30 million annually if he signs with Under Armour In nike air jordan 1 australia.., whose headquarters are in Durant's home state of Maryland.
Nike and Adidas are also in talks with Durant, whose mixture of splendor on the court and marketability in the wake of his mental MVP address has made him the darling of Madison Avenue.
"Nike has been part of me ever since I was in high school and have now been amazing since I've been in the league but I'm only going to let my team be the ones who handle that behind the scenes, I suppose," Durant told ESPN last week. "When you examine stuff like this, it is great problems to have because folks need you for what you understand and do on the basketball court, the work you put in, and so Iwill continue to put my work in, let them focus on that on the opposite conclusion, and we'll come together at some point."
A deal with Under Armour is also beneficial to the Washington Wizards, among several teams, such as the Knicks and Nets, putting themselves in place financially to make a run at Durant in two summers.
Wizards owner Ted Leonsis and Under Armour Creator/CEO Kevin Plank, a University of Maryland grad, have been in several philanthropic endeavors in the D.C. area. A possible Durant deal with Under Armour doesn't ensure the Wizards landing Durant but for the star crossed franchise any connection to the Maryland/D.C. area does not hurt either.
The Wizards have two youthful guards, All Star John Wall and Bradley Beal, who could help lure Durant back home. In addition, the Wizards recently hired David Adkins as a player development helper, a trade which mostly went unnoticed. Adkins most recently was an assistant coach for the women's team at the University of Maryland.
"I grew up observing the Wizards, (the) Bullets-Wizards," Durant told the Washington Post last week in Las Vegas. "I grew up taking the train to that arena on a regular basis. I saw Georgetown, I observed the Bullets, I watched the (WNBA's) Mystics, in order that entire city is a part of me, is in my blood. As I said, I love going back home to see my family and stuff and playing there, but I adore Oklahoma City too."
The Thunder is going to have the chance to offer Durant the most cash and if the team should happen to win an NBA title wi air jordan 6 black red.hin another two seasons that would make it that much more challenging for Durant to walk away.
But teams are also planning for possibility of Durant leaving for a bigger market and many consider t air jordan australia.at they have an edge over the competition. The Knicks are coached by Durant's former teammate Derek Fisher while team president Phil Jackson will be selling Durant on the chance to play alongside Carmelo Anthony.
The Brooklyn Nets could have a buddy in Jay Z, who once held a minority position in the team and is currently the creator of Roc Nation, the agency that signed Durant as a customer.
The Lakers will have the cap space to sign Durant in two years that's additionally when Kobe Bryant's current contract expires. In the span of 13 months, the Lakers lost Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol to free agency and failed to land either LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony. Their brand has taken a major hit but the inclusion of Durant, who spends part of the offseason in L.A., would change the direction of the franchise.
The Heat lost James last month but team president Pat Riley has already stated that Miami intends to be big players in free agency in two years. That's code for "Kevin Durant" the player apparel companies want backing their shoes together with the MVP that a dozen or so teams are desperate to sign.
