Kevin Durant’s move to the Golden State Warriors in 2016 is still viewed as a polarizing topic around the NBA.
Nine years ago Kevin Durant joined forces with the 73-9 Golden State Warriors to pave an easy path to win the NBA Championship.
Durant succeeded in doing so as he won back-to-back NBA titles and Finals MVPs in 2017 and 2018. If it was not for an injury-riddled postseason run, the Dubs may have three-peated in 2019.
Not only did the Warriors lose the 2019 NBA Finals, but they also lost Durant in the offseason. Most believe that his scuffle with Draymond Green was the reason behind KD’s abrupt departure.
Steve Kerr is one of the most successful head coaches in the modern era, as the Warriors have won four NBA Championships under his leadership.
He won two of his rings with Durant on the team. But according to The Ringer’s Logan Murdock, Durant had issues with Kerr that ultimately led to his departure for the Brooklyn Nets in 2019.
“Durant’s exit from the Bay Area arguably had more to do with his issues with Steve Kerr than any shouting match with Green.
“Durant repeatedly complained both publicly and privately about Kerr’s offensive principles during his final season with the Warriors, and he continued to do so even after he left for Brooklyn,” Murdock wrote.
The silver lining is that Durant and Kerr have resolved their issues, but not enough for the former NBA MVP to consider a return to the Bay Area.
“The two have since reconciled, but league sources identify Kerr as among the reasons Durant opted not to return to Golden State at the trade deadline.”
While Durant didn’t want a return to the Warriors, it was obvious that the Slim Reaper wanted to exit the Phoenix Suns.
After weeks of rumors about KD’s next destination, the dust has finally settled with the 35-year-old getting traded to the Houston Rockets.
Considering the Rockets are one of the best teams in the Western Conference, Durant has yet another chance to prove that he can win an NBA Championship without the Dubs.
But if his stints with the Nets and Suns are any indication, Durant is likely to fail in his quest to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy for a third time in his career.
