It might sound far-fetched, but it’s possible for the NBA’s best team to sign one of the league’s top free agents this offseason.

The Golden State Warriors are a serious threat to land Kevin Durant as a free agent this summer, even with the price tag of an annual $25 million max contract.

A casual fan may think there is no way talent-rich Golden State could land K.D., but here is The Vertical’s step-by-step guide to how the Warriors could make that happen.

Step 1: Retain the Big Three

Golden State can keep All-Stars Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. All 3 players have a combined guarantee salary of $44 million.



Step 2: Guarantee Shaun Livingston’s contract

The versatile Livingston’s $5.7 million contract becomes guaranteed on June 30. Only $3 million is currently guaranteed.



Step 3: Keep the youth

Kevon Looney, 19, has a huge upside and great value because he is on a rookie contract for $1.2 million next season. Golden State also has its own first-round pick, projected at No. 30. Once the Warriors make this selection in June, there will be a cap hold of $973,000. The Warriors could also follow the San Antonio Spurs’ approach and take an international player and leave him in Europe. The cap hold would then be released if Golden State goes this route. Keep in mind that Golden State cannot trade its 2016 first-round pick.



View photos Kevin Durant joining the Warriors would be a scary scenario for other teams. (Getty Images) More

Step 4: Hold on to Festus Ezeli

If Warriors management feels that Ezeli can stay healthy in the long run, then he is a keeper. The 26-year-old is having a career year but missed the 2013-14 season and parts of last season with various injuries, and he is currently sidelined with a knee injury. Ezeli has a $5 million salary cap hold but could see his salary double on the open market.



Step 5: Trade Andre Iguodala

Obtaining the 32-year-old Iguodala in the final season of an $11.1 million contract would be a bargain for a team looking for a wing this summer. The small forward market will be thin in July with 10 teams in need having cap room.



Step 6: Exercise stretch provision on Andrew Bogut

The best-case scenario would be to find a trade partner for Andrew Bogut. The 31-year-old will be going into his final year of his contract with a cap hit of $11 million. If Golden State cannot trade him, the Warriors would be allowed to stretch his contract over three seasons. Stretching Bogut’s deal means there would be $3.6 million counting against the salary cap.



Note: There is a scenario that includes the steps mentioned in which Golden State can elect to retain Andrew Bogut but renounce Festus Ezeli. The Warriors would have close to $23 million in cap space if they did so.

Step 7: Exercise stretch provision on Jason Thompson

Jason Thompson has $2.6 million in guaranteed salary and needs to be waived by June 26 before his entire $6.8 million contract is guaranteed. Waiving Thompson and stretching his $2.6 million salary over three seasons would see the Warriors incur a cap hit of $883,000.



View photos Andre Iguodala would have value this summer in the last year of his contract. (NBAE via Getty Images) More

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