Kevin Durant's most lucrative path forward is to re-sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder on a two-year contract with a player option to become a free agent again in 2017.

Durant is just one year short of becoming a Tier 3 max player that would allow him to bump his 17-18 salary up from $27.8 million to $35.7 million with his raises being built off that starting max.

Durant could play next season with the Thunder for $25.8 million and then sign a five-year, $205.7 million deal in 2017. Durant would top out at $46.5 million for the 21-22 season.

Between 16-17 until 20-21, Durant would earn $185 million, an additional $36.2 million, by using this strategy. Durant would also be locked into his $46.5 million for 21-22 instead of signing an extension at some point or waiting for free agency in 2021 with his immediate long-term deal.

Durant’s contract options 
One-year deal then extension 
With OKC
2016-17: $25.8 million 
With OKC                               With another team
2017-18: $35.7 million            $35.7 million
2018-19: $38.4 million            $37.7 million
2019-20: $41.1 million            $38.9 million
2020-21: $43.8 million            $40.6 million
2021-22: $46.5 million
Totals: $205.7 million              $152.7 million

Immediate long-term deal 
With OKC                                 With another team
2016-17: $25.8 million              $25.8 million
2017-18: $27.8 million              $27.0 million
2018-19: $29.7 million              $28.2 million
2019-20: $31.7 million              $29.4 million
2020-21: $33.6 million
Totals: $148.8 million                $110.5 million