After three years, two championships and what was probably one of the most dominant three-season runs for a single team in basketball history, Kevin Durant decided to leave the Warriors this offseason for the Nets.
One of the reasons for the change? It goes back to a heated on-court exchange between Durant and Draymond Green from last season, which began when KD took issue with a turnover committed by Draymond against the Hawks.
Draymond reportedly fired back with a comment about Durant’s impending free agency, which led the Warriors to suspend him without pay for one game. According to Durant, that comment ultimately played a role in driving him away from the Warriors.
Since Durant’s departure, it’s been a fast fall from grace for the Warriors. Obviously, Klay Thompson’s torn ACL from last season’s Finals doesn’t help, but they’ve started the season with a 1-3 record and some brutal losses, none worse than losing Steph Curry to a broken left hand on Wednesday.
Durant is going to be out for the year, too, so Kyrie Irving and the Nets are going to have to do it without him this season while KD rehabilitates his torn Achilles.
As for his decision to leave, Durant was entitled to sign elsewhere whatever his reasoning — that’s part of being a free agent. It’s interesting to get a look into his mindset, but does this close the book on whether or not he’s a snake? Well, we’ll leave that to Serge Ibaka.
h/t First Take
