Report: Durant would take less than max to preserve Warriors' core

There's something special brewing in the Bay Area with this Golden State Warriors group, and Kevin Durant - who signed last summer for $54.3 million over two years, with a player option in the second year - appears to want those good times to roll for as long as possible.

The former MVP and four-time scoring champion is willing to take less than the maximum contract extension he's eligible to receive as a 10-year veteran to help the Warriors keep their core together for the long haul, sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Chris Haynes.

The news takes on greater significance given that All-Star point guard Stephen Curry (who made just $12.1 million during 2016-17 campaign) could potentially ink a super-max deal under the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement, allowing him to take up roughly 35 percent of the team's salary cap.

For Durant to get his max extension, Golden State would have to bypass re-signing the likes of Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston, who will soon be unrestricted free agents. Also entering the pool this summer are Zaza Pachulia, JaVale McGee, Ian Clark, Matt Barnes, and David West.

Should he take approximately $4 million less than the max, the Warriors could use their Bird rights in an attempt to keep several members of the roster.

Durant averaged 25.1 points on 53.7 percent shooting from the field and 37.5 percent from 3-point range, along with 8.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.6 blocks in 62 appearances during the regular season for the 67-win Warriors. He sat out all of March and three games in early April after suffering a Grade 2 MCL sprain and a tibial bone bruise in his knee.

Golden State steamrolled its way through the opening rounds of the playoffs with a 12-0 record against the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, and San Antonio Spurs. The team will host the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of The Finals at Oracle Arena on Thursday night.