The best deal for Golden State
The Golden State Warriors want to prepare for the future while the Warriors also want to maintain their dominance throughout the league. Signing a 23-year-old to a four-year contract is how you do that.
For the Nets, the fifth year is important. It’s so important that Brooklyn shouldn’t want anything else in return if this is all Golden State offers. Locking up one of the league’s all-time great scorers is exactly what Brooklyn must do.
It keeps him a year longer in Brooklyn, which, if everything goes well, means they’ll likely keep their mini-dynasty alive even longer. Irving and Jordan, if they finish their contracts in Brooklyn, would be on the market before Durant.
They’d then get a chance to return.
For the Dubs, Russell was averaging 21.1 points per game last season and took his game to the next level. This is something they must do if they are prepared to do what it takes to keep their dynasty alive.