NBA: Identifying the best value signings of free agency
By Dillon Dente
Best Value in Class Rank A: Kevin Durant
Class Rank A average: $2,697,440.71 per Win Share
Kevin Durant: $1,540,697.00 per Win Share
This shouldn’t be that big of a surprise. Of the max-contract caliber players who signed deals this summer, only Jrue Holiday is making less than Durant on average annually (only by about $300,000). Arguably the best player in the league last year, and certainly an absolute animal in the playoffs, Durant’s willingness to take less than he’s probably worth will help keep a juggernaut team together in Golden State.
In a chicken or the egg type of scenario, Golden State has the top two valued players in our class “A” ranking system in Durant and Curry, as well as several other players in the B and C rankings who performed well by this metric. This could be a huge factor in Golden State’s success, or this could be the spoils of a successful team whose franchise is so desirable that players accept less money to play there, though it’s likely a bit of both.
Most basketball fans are familiar with Durant’s work, but last year’s Finals MVP shot 56 percent from the field throughout the playoffs, adding a 44 percent 3-point percentage and 63% effective field goal percentage throughout that span.