All world NBA superstar Kevin Durant will be joining Steph Curry and the gang in Golden State in 2016-17. After days of deliberation the 7-time All-Star and former league MVP personally announced his decision through The Player Tribune, with an open letter to his fans. While Durant refrained from giving details on the deal, it is being reported that he has agreed to 2-years, $54.3 million with player option after the first season.
"The primary mandate I had for myself in making this decision was to have it based on the potential for my growth as a player—as that has always steered me in the right direction. But I am also at a point in my life where it is of equal importance to find an opportunity that encourages my evolution as a man: moving out of my comfort zone to a new city and community which offers the greatest potential for my contribution and personal growth. With this in mind, I have decided that I am going to join the Golden State Warriors," Durant wrote in a piece titled "My Next Chapter."
The race for K.D. intensified over the weekend as he was courted by Miami, San Antonio, L.A., and Boston in addition to Golden State and Oklahoma City. But a meeting with Tom Brady and the Celtics couldn't sway him east and the promise of a big four wasn't enough for him to be convinced by the Clippers. There had reportedly been rumors as the season waned down that the Warriors were fishing for the perennial scoring champ to join the Splash Brothers. With the signing Golden State will renounce their rights to center Festus Ezeli, making him an unrestricted free agent. Durant expressed remorse in making a departure from the city he carried to the Western Conference Finals four out of the last five years. "The memories and friendships are something that go far beyond the game. Those invaluable relationships are what made this deliberation so challenging," he wrote of his former Oklahoma City teammates and staff. He then went on to address the fans, saying "It really pains me to know that I will disappoint so many people with this choice, but I believe I am doing what I feel is the right thing at this point in my life and my playing career."
"I will miss Oklahoma City, and the role I have had in building this remarkable team. I will forever cherish the relationships within the organization—the friends and teammates that I went to war with on the court for nine years, and all the fans and people of the community. They have always had my back unconditionally, and I cannot be more grateful for what they have meant to my family and to me."
Source: theplayerstribune.com
