Kevin Durant to earn $200 million on next contract?

Multiple league executives believe Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant's next contract could be worth around $200 million, according to SI.com's Chris Mannix.

SI Wire | Jan 30, 2015

Kevin Durant to earn $200 million on next contract? /

Multiple league executives believe Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant's next contract could be worth around $200 million, according to Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix.

Durant, who can become a free agent in 2016, is in his eighth season in the league since being drafted No. 2 in 2007. The Thunder would be able to offer Durant more money on a potential max contract than any other team.

In addition, Durant's contract value could balloon thanks to the NBA's new television deal. The deal, which is reportedly worth $24 billion over nine years, will kick in for the 2016-17 season.

• MANNIX: Thunder struggling as Durant's exit looms

The influx of cash will boost the league's salary cap, which will cause an increase in contract values, including maximum deals for stars like Durant. The new cap could rise north of $90 million, though the value is yet to be determined.

Mannix reports on what league executives believe Durant's contract could be worth in the new "TV revenue-infused market." From his latest Open Floor column:

Thunder officials understand there are no guarantees with Durant. They know they can offer the most money -- several executives believe a max deal for Durant in the new TV revenue-infused market in 2016 could be worth in the neighborhood of $200 million over five years -- and they believe Durant likes playing in Oklahoma City. “I think he likes his teammates,” said coach Scott Brooks. “That’s always important.”

• GOLLIVER: Durant, Westbrook headline All-Star Game reserves

Classic Photos of Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant

In recognition of four-time NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant winning his first MVP award, SI.com presents some classic photos of the five-time All-Star. As a high schooler at Oak Hill, Durant possessed the skills to be a superstar.

Kevin Durant

Preston Keres/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Durant earned the 2006 All-Met Player of the Year Award at Montrose Christian after a season at Oak Hill, and was rewarded with a scholarship to the University of Texas.

Chase Budinger and Kevin Durant

Durant shined during the 2006 McDonald's All-American Game, tallying 25 points while splitting MVP honors with Chase Budinger. Here, he takes his triumphant photo with John Wooden, Budinger, other stars and, of course, Ronald McDonald.

Texas Longhorns

Durant leads an emboldened Texas squad into the finals of the Big 12 Championship against Kansas in 2007. While Durant dazzled -- he racked up 32 points and nine rebounds -- his Longhorns fell short 90-86.

Kevin Durant and Candace Parker

Durant poses with Tennessee's Candace Parker after the two were named winners of the 2007 John Wooden Award presented to the most outstanding players in college basketball. During his breakout freshman season, Durant averaged 25.5 points and 11.1 rebounds while leading the Longhorns to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Al Horford, Corey Brewer, Kevin Durant, Michael Conley, Jr., Greg Oden and Joakim Noah

Durant stands among his fellow prospects before the NBA Draft on June 28, 2007. While all were selected in the first round, it's hard to dispute that anyone's had a bigger impact than the former Texas small forward. He finished second in MVP voting in 2009-10.

Kevin Durant and fans

Durant smiles for the camera with some of his littlest admirers during the NBA's Media Day in 2007. The photo was part of the Sonics' campaign to encourage children to read.

Kevin Durant

Durant slips on his jersey before a matchup with the Nuggets in the Pepsi Center in 2007. Much like with LeBron in his rookie season, opposing crowds relished the opportunity to watch the youngster play.

Kevin Durant and Family

Durant proved he was worthy of the second overall pick during his prodigious 2007 campaign, shooting over 43 percent from the field though Seattle stumbled to a 20-62 record. Here, his entourage (from left to right: grandmother Barbara Davis, friend Cliff Dixon, mother Wanda Pratt, father Wayne) helps him accept the NBA's Rookie of the Year Award.

Kevin Durant

Durant endears himself to the Seattle fans after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch on Sept. 29, 2007. He immediately became a fan-favorite following his selection in the NBA Draft and posted 20.3 points per game in his rookie season with the Sonics.

Kevin Durant

Decked from head to toe in light sensor technology, Durant handles the basketball while EA Sports captures his moves in its Burnaby, British Columbia studio. Durant is compiling quite the video game resume. After serving as the cover athlete for NCAA March Madness '08 , he was placed on the front of NBA Elite 11 . Both are EA Sports titles.

Kevin Durant

Embracing their new hometown hero, Oklahoma City Thunder fans greet Durant following an open practice. Formerly the SuperSonics, the franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2008.

Team USA

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Durant eyes the hoop in a Team USA basketball tuneup on July 23, 2008 in Las Vegas. While he didn't make that year's Olympic roster, he'd pioneer the so-called "B-Team" to a FIBA World Championship just two years later.

Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Yi Jianlian

Equally helpful on and off the court, Durant volunteers during the Day of Service during the NBA All-Star Weekend in 2008. He was joined by teammate Jeff Green and Bucks' big man Yi Jianlian.

Kevin Durant's Trophy Case

A legend during his basketball adolescence as well, Durant is honored in this trophy case at Seat Pleasant Activity Center, where he developed as a youth. Team photos, an autographed shoe and a spattering of articles are among the memorabilia honoring the Maryland native.

Kevin Durant and Jeff Green

Ever the handyman, Durant fixes a chandelier at an Oklahoma City resident's home in April 2009. At 6-foot-9, Durant didn't need a ladder, something that clearly was amusing to teammate Jeff Green (back).

Kevin Durant

Ron Artest tries to pull a fast one by pinning Durant's arm during a game at the Ford Center.

Kevin Durant and LeBron James

Two of the new generation of superstars in the NBA, Durant and LeBron James take a picture at the 4th Annual Two Kings Dinner on Feb. 13, 2010. While LeBron generated more hype, it was Durant who led the league in scoring, averaging 30.1 points over an 82-game season.

Kevin Durant and Presidential Guard

Durant engages in a staring contest with a presidential guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in central Athens. The guard was able to maintain focus as Durant towered over him, but the Grecian National Team wasn't as lucky. He netted 15 points en route to a 87-59 victory.

Kevin Durant's Sneakers

Durant's sneakers during the World Basketball Championship served as a reminder of his motivations, as he honored many of his deceased friends by writing their names across his shoe tops. He also included a reference to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks by inscribing the date prominently over his left toes.

Team USA

Durant leads the United States team in acknowledging the crowd after a 89-74 win over Lithuania in the World Basketball Championship semifinals. Durant would follow up a 38-point performance in this game with a 28-point outing in a victory against Turkey in the gold-medal game.

Kevin Durant

AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post/Getty Images

Kevin Durant lands in the stands during Game 4 of a first-round playoff series against Denver.

Kevin Durant

Andy Cross, The Denver Post/Getty Images

Durant enjoying a quiet moment before practice.

Kevin Durant

Durant celebrates after clinching a victory over Memphis in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Kevin Durant

Durant skies for a breakaway dunk during a February 2012 game between the Thunder and Mavs.

Kevin Durant and Wanda Pratt

Durant hugs his mother, Wanda Pratt, following Oklahoma City's victory over the Lakers in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Kevin Durant

Dwight Howard goes up to try to defend a shot by Durant during the All-Star game in Orlando.

Kevin Durant and Lil' Wayne

All-Star MVP Kevin Durant celebrates with hip-hop artist Lil' Wayne during the 2012 NBA All-Star Game in Orlando.

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant with the MVP trophy after the West defeated the East 152-149 in the All-Star game.

Kevin Durant

Durant goes to the basket against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 3 of the Western Conference first-round series.

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant dunks past the Lakers' Andrew Bynum during Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Kevin Durant

Durant stands with the trophy following the Thunder's victory over the Spurs in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals.

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala and Anthony Davis (right) march in with other U.S. athletes during the opening ceremonies in London.

Kevin Durant

Durant looks to save the ball in a preliminary round Olympic game against Tunisia.

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant celebrates winning a gold medal in London.

Kevin Durant

LeBron James and Kevin Durant at the buzzer of the Gold Medal Game against Spain.

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant and LeBron James with their gold medals following a 107-100 Team USA victory over Team Spain in London.

Kevin Durant

Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

Durant appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, along with teammate James Harden.

Kevin Durant

Durant reacts during a 99-93 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center.

Kevin Durant

Durant signed with Jay-Z's Roc Nation group in 2013 was the fourth highest-earning player in the league that year, pulling in an estimated $35 million.

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant and former teammate James Harden during Game 2 of a first-round playoff series.

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant the revealed halfway stage of this elaborate tattoo in May.

Kevin Durant

Durant takes in a game between the Memphis Tigers and the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater.

Kevin Durant

Durant and Matthew McConaughey at the GQ Men Of The Year Party at The Ebell Club of Los Angeles.

Kevin Durant

Durant flips on his head after being fouled by Houston Rockets' Aaron Brooks.

Kevin Durant

LeBron James and Norris Cole pressure Durant during Oklahoma City's visit to Miami. The Thunder won 112-95 behind Durant's 33 points.

Kevin Durant

Durant and LeBron James fight for position in the first of their two scheduled games this season.

Kevin Durant

Durant releases a three-point shot after being fouled by Memphis center Marc Gasol in the fourth quarter of Game 2 of an opening-round playoff series. Durant hit the three-pointer from the corner as he was being pushed out of bounds by Gasol and then converted the free throw to make it a one-point game. Memphis won 111-105 in overtime.

There is speculation that other teams could sign Durant when his current contract is up. A recent report suggested the Knicks were "in play" for the 2013-14 MVP and Washington has been frequently cited as a possible landing spot.

Durant, 26, has missed time this season with foot and ankle injuries. Over 21 games, the MVP has averaged 25.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 51.9 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from three-point range.

Oklahoma City currently sits 3.5 games back of the Phoenix Suns for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.

• GOLLIVER: All-Star snubs

Published Jan 30, 2015

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