OAKLAND, Calif. — The deadline for Kevin Durant to opt into his contract with the Warriors for next season passed Friday night without him doing so, making the two-time reigning NBA finals MVP a free agent – yet his intention has always been to stay put and re-sign with Golden State.

Much like a year ago, Durant declined to opt in for the second year of his deal, allowing him to work on a more lucrative contract once the signing period begins Saturday night.

Durant only had to inform the Warriors if he planned to opt in, and the team had long been prepared for this move – merely a procedural decision – knowing his plans for months.

The 29-year-old Durant could sign for as many as four years and about $160 million. He has made clear all along his commitment to the Warriors, especially after winning a pair of championships in his first two seasons with Golden State.

A year ago, Durant declined to opt in for the second year of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent. That also was expected as he wanted to do whatever he could to give the franchise financial flexibility to keep the core of the team intact to chase more titles.

Then, the Warriors won another one earlier this month – and Durant hoisted the MVP trophy a second time.

After the season, Warriors General Manager Bob Myers said Golden State would reward Durant with “whatever he wants.”

“Sometimes you don’t negotiate. I’d love to have him for 10 years. Kevin Durant, look what he did for us last year, he did us a great service,” Myers said. “He’s earned the right to sign whatever deal he wants. I just want him to sign a deal.

“But want him to be happy and want him to know that we want him as long as he wants to be here.”

MAVERICKS: Dallas is making another run at DeAndre Jordan, three years after the center jilted them in free agency to stay with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Jordan opted out of the final year of that contract he signed with the Clippers in 2015, and the Mavericks intend to pursue him as an unrestricted free agent, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press.

Dallas also intends to decline the $5 million club option on Dirk Nowitzki’s contract and re-sign him once its salary structure is more settled, the person told the AP on condition of anonymity because the sides are not publicly commenting on moves ahead of free agency opening Sunday.

HAWKS: Atlanta requested waivers on reserve guard Isaiah Taylor.

Taylor, signed to a two-year contract last October, started nine of his 67 games last season. He averaged 6.6 points and 3.1 assists in 17.4 minutes.

Taylor appeared to be in the Hawks’ rebuilding plans. He sat alongside teammates Kent Bazemore, DeAndre Bembry and Mike Muscala at a news conference last month to announce the hiring of new coach Lloyd Pierce.

But the Hawks decided Taylor was too expensive to keep.

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