Kevin Durant Rumors: Superstar Leaning Toward New Short-Term Deal with Warriors

Golden State Warriors superstar Kevin Durant is reportedly leaning toward signing another two-year contract with the Dubs once he officially becomes a free agent July 1.

On Saturday, Anthony Slater of The Athletic reported there are "rumblings" Durant will ink a "1+1" deal that includes a player option for the second season, making him eligible to hit the open market again next summer while saving the Warriors $5.4 million in base salary for the 2018-19 NBA season.

Although Durant is set to become an unrestricted free agent Sunday, there's been no substantiated discussion about him potentially leaving the Warriors.

The 29-year-old University of Texas product told ESPN's Rachel Nichols earlier this month he played to remain with the organization shortly before winning his second straight NBA Finals MVP.

"I'm planning on staying with the Warriors, and we'll figure the rest out," Durant said.

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The only question was whether he'd seek another short-term deal to maintain future career control, as the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James did in 2016, or a lucrative long-term extension.

Durant is coming off another monster season for Golden State. He averaged 26.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.8 blocks while shooting 51.6 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from three-point range across 68 appearances during the regular season.

The nine-time All-Star Game selection ranked sixth in the NBA in Player Efficiency Rating, per ESPN.com.

So the Warriors are likely to oblige with his preferred contract structure to keep him as part of their core four alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. The group will chase its third consecutive title next season and the organization's fourth in the past five years.