MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Free agent superstar Kevin Durant is leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors.
The 7-time NBA All-Star is set to sign a two-year, $54 million contract – the second year which is a player’s option – when free agents become eligible to sign on July 8, according to spotrac.com.
In a 5-paragraph statement on The Player’s Tribune, where Durant is a “deputy publisher,” the 2013-14 NBA MVP says has reached a point in his life where he has to leave his comfort zone for a new city which offers the “greatest potential” and room for personal growth.
Durant also said that he will miss Oklahoma City and the role he had in building the Thunder.
“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.”
Durant leaves a team which just traded Serge Ibaka to sign supporting pieces such as Victor Oladipo and Ersan Ilyasova and joins an All-Star lineup of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Igoudala.
Durant spent 9 years with the Oklahoma City franchise, earning 5 All-NBA First Team selections, 7 All-Star selections and 4 scoring titles. His last playoff appearance was in the Western Conference Finals last season, where the Thunder blew a 3-1 series lead to the eventual winners – his new team – the Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors won the NBA title in 2015 and won a regular season-record 73 games against only 9 defeats, but fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in an epic 7-game finals series this year. – Rappler.com
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