Kevin Durant’s got some options right now. His agent recently said the Thunder superstar was exploring situations in Spain, Turkey and Russia.
Well, the Russia thing just got a bit more interesting. Because we have an offer. According to Championat.com, via HoopsHype, Russian superpower CSKA Moscow is in talks with Durant’s representation for a deal worth around $1 million per month. Not too bad.
If you recall, Kobe’s reported offer from China is for something like $1.5 million. So Durant obviously is carrying a similar global reputation. Deron Williams’ Turkish deal was only for $250,000 a month. Take that, Zach Lowe. (Only kidding.)
CSKA Moscow is a team that certainly has big bucks to throw around as it was formerly owned by current Nets chairman Mikhail Prokhorov. The team has sat atop the Russian league in both money and success for a good number of years.
But it seems like a pretty unlikely end game for Durant. He said recently he was 50-50 on going overseas with a deadline for his decision to be Oct. 1. He doesn’t really sound or seem like a player that eager to take his talents across the pond. He’s been ripping up every pro-am there is coast-to-coast but eventually he’s got to find some real games. Some real competition. There are worse options than Russia, but I’m pretty sure Durant’s not going to be stoked about it. He wants to play in the NBA.
What we’re seeing with a lot of these rumored deals is that it’s posturing from both sides. The team is looking to raise its profile by being “in talks” with an NBA superstar. Immediately people assume the organization has a bunch of money and credibility to be able to land a player like that. And on the other end, it’s a solid bargaining chip for the players to throw in the owners’ faces. Really, the only people coming out on the short end of this stuff are fans of the NBA. Awesome for us.
It’s a developing situation with Durant. More stuff about it seems to be making the rounds and while I still think it’s an unlikely scenario, it’s at least a possibility. And getting paid $1 million a month to ball instead of squat to just hoop on a blacktop isn’t too bad a Plan B.
