This is Kevin Durant, the power broker.  The move maker.  He grew up a stone’s throw from the nation’s capital.  He’s got some Claire Underwood moves in his bag. 



Last July, Durant took a one-year, $25 million deal — about $10 million less than he could have taken.  That giveback put pressure on the Warriors to re-sign Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston and spend the full taxpayer mid-level exception, which they used on Nick Young. 



This year, Durant once again chose the contract option on the table that saves the Warriors money.  Durant informed the Warriors at the start of free agency that he would take the two-year deal with a player option for the second year.  That move saves the Warriors $5.6 million.  Essentially, Durant is putting subliminal pressure on the Warriors again to spend the mid-level. 



He also turned down an invitation by LeBron James to join him in Los Angeles.  And he has recruited his buddies, DeAndre Jordan and Jamal...