NBA News Round-Up, Oct. 3: Latest in Jimmy Butler Trade Request Saga; KD to New York?

KD to New York?

Kevin Durant at the 2018 Golden State Warriors Media Day

Ever since he joined the Golden State Warriors in the summer of 2016, Kevin Durant has always signed a 1+1 deal (player option on the second year). It allows him to opt out of the second year and structure the new deal as per his or the team's convenience. In 2017, he took a huge discount to allow the team to sign Andre Iguodala.

This summer, although he didn't sign a max deal again, he didn't take any huge discounts this time - 2 years (1+1), $61.5 million.

This deal technically makes him a free agent in 2019 and his case to leave Golden State is stronger than past seasons, especially with all the success he has tasted in his two seasons so far. In addition, here is Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, somebody who follows the Warriors very closely, on the topic:

"New York Knicks have a very good shot at luring KD away from the Bay Area. ... The same allure that LeBron had towards the Los Angeles Lakers, just the building, the culture, is the same way I know that KD feels about the Knicks." — @ChrisBHaynes pic.twitter.com/u0sFhPdVXR

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) October 3, 2018