Kevin Durant is likely to take a one-plus-one contract in free agency with the Golden State Warriors.
Durant maintains flexibility by taking a shorter contract, but it will have a smaller starting salary of $30 million instead of $35.4 million.
By taking less money in the short-term, the Warriors will be more likely to use their mid-level exception.
The salary cap is expected to increase in 2019 and the Warriors would then also own Durant's Full Bird Rights, which would give Durant a higher starting salary.
Durant's four-year max contract this offseason would be $158.4 million, compared to $30 million in 18-19 followed by a five-year deal starting at $37.8 million and would be worth nearly $250 million over six years.