If ya can’t beat ’em
KD shocks nba, joins forces with curry and Warriors /
Golden State’s death lineup just got even more lethal.
Kevin Durant, the NBA’s most sought-after star, announced he was leaving Oklahoma City for Golden State on Monday on the Players’ Tribune website. Durant bolted the Thunder for the record 73-win juggernaut that ousted them from the playoffs, joining fellow MVP Steph Curry on a superteam that aims to rewrite basketball history.
“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,’’ wrote Durant, a seven-time All-Star and former MVP, and still just 27.
“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 — who was wooed by the Thunder, Heat, Celtics, Clippers and Spurs (and longed for by the Knicks) — will ink a two-year deal for $54.3 million with a player option for 2017-18. The contract can’t be completed until the signing moratorium ends Thursday.
He’d get a huge raise by opting out after a year and signing a new four-year max deal worth more than $135 million. He could have made even more by staying in Oklahoma City, but after blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, Durant prioritized going for his first title over maximizing his money.
“Kevin’s contributions to our organization during his nine years were profound, on and off the court,” Thunder chairman Clayton Bennett said in a statement. “He helped the Thunder grow and succeed in immeasurable ways and impacted the community just the same. We thank him for his leadership, his play, and how he represented Oklahoma City and the entire state of Oklahoma.”
Thunder general manager Sam Presti similarly took the high road.
“Kevin made an indelible mark on the Thunder organization and the state of Oklahoma as a founding father of this franchise,” said Presti. “... While clearly disappointing that he has chosen to move on, the core values that he helped establish only lead to us thanking him for the many tangible and intangible ways that he helped our program.”
Not that it sat well with everybody involved.
Thunder fans, taking the news like a punch in the gut — or a Draymond Green kick to the groin — burned Durant jerseys. He was ripped on social media for joining a ready-made powerhouse that already won the 201415 NBA crown without him. Fans cried hypocrisy, dredging up a sixyear old tweet in which Durant seemingly threw shade at LeBron James for bolting Cleveland in favor of Miami.
“Now everybody wanna play for the heat and the Lakers? Let’s go back to being competitive and going at these peoples!” Durant tweeted a week after James’ 2010 decision.
“It really pains me to know that I will disappoint so many people with this choice,” Durant wrote Monday. “But I believe I am doing what I feel is the right thing at this point in my life and my playing career.”
And at this point, the right thing was the top free agent in the NBA joining arguably the top team in the league. If you can’t beat them, join them was a sentiment shared by some of the league’s old-guard and traditionalists.
“If u can’t beat um join um” Paul Pierce tweeted.
Durant’s decision will have ripple effects throughout the league.
“We’re trying to set out and do things that will be remembered in this league forever,’’ Green told Sports Illustrated.
Golden State will put out one of the best starting fives in NBA history, but needed some reshuffling to do it. The Warriors reportedly traded Andre Bogut and his $11 million salary to Dallas and renounced Harrison Barnes, who will get a four-year, $95 million deal from the Mavericks. Golden State also reportedly will sign journeyman center Zaza Pachulia, who averaged 8.6 points and 9.4 rebounds in 76 games, including 69 starts, for the Mavs last season.
While the Warriors went from 3-2 favorites to a prohibitive 4-5 to win the title according to the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, the Thunder — who had been the fourth choice at 8-1 — dropped to a 30-1 long shot.
ESPN reported if Presti can’t extend the current contract of remaining star Russell Westbrook, he may consider any and all options, including dealing him.