After NBA Star Kevin Durant announced Monday that he is leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors, reaction was swift and varied.
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The first departure from Golden State is expected to be that of Harrison Barnes, who is set to move to the Dallas Mavericks on a four-year deal worth $95 million.
As a basketball fan I hate that Durant has left Oklahoma City to join the Warriors, too, and wish he would have made the decision to stay with the Thunder. “They have always had my back unconditionally, and I can not be more grateful for what they have meant to my family and to me”, Durant wrote. We can’t adequately articulate what he meant to the foundation of this franchise and our success. “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”, Thunder GM and Executive Vice President Sam Presti said in a statement. Kevin Durant’s image in Golden State might outshine Curry’s, and Nike is hoping the move could help increase their fan base. The Warriors fell to Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games.
At least Durant, who has been the face of the franchise since he was drafted second overall in the 2007 draft, went about his decision better than LeBron did six years ago.
It was rumored earlier today that if Russell Westbrook would not sign an extension without Kevin Durant, that the Thunder will consider moving Westbrook in a trade before his contract expires following next season.
Similar to this past season, the Golden State Warriors are now the big favorites to land the one seed and make it to the NBA Finals for the third straight time next season.
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But Durant heard twice Friday from Curry, who Green said sent a text message to Durant to profess his commitment to championships, not endorsement deals or MVP awards.
