Kevin Durant, undoubtedly this offseason's most sought after NBA free agent, has made his "decision" official. He posted a letter on The Players' Tribune on Monday morning and announced he is leaving the Thunder and signing with the Warriors.
While a number of franchises, including the Spurs, Clippers, Celtics, Heat, and of course, the Thunder, predictably vied for KD's services, he ultimately decided that playing alongside Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green is the best option for him.
"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," KD wrote. "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."
In his letter, KD also touched on how painful it will be for him to leave 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," he wrote. "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."
Durant is reportedly signing a two-year contract with the Warriors with a player option for his second year, according to ESPN reporter Marc Stein:
This finally gives us a conclusion to the seemingly innumerable recruiting reports we've heard throughout KD's free agency, including A-list names like Tom Brady and Jay-Z getting involved in team pitches, a cabinet position being offered to KD by Oklahoma's governor, and a number of fellow NBA players making an effort to get him to come to their organizations.
During his nine seasons with the Thunder, the organization that took him with the No. 2 overall pick in 2007, Durant made seven All-Star Games, was named a First Team All-NBA player five times, won four scoring titles, and took home the MVP Award in 2014.
Last season, with a Thunder team that came one agonizing game away from playing in the NBA Finals, Durant averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, which were all up from his respective career averages of 27.4, 7.0, and 3.7.
Stay tuned for reactions to KD's free agency decision.
