There was once a time when it seemed like Kevin Durant would probably spend the rest of his career with the Golden State Warriors, and that still may happen. However, there has been plenty of talk about him leaving this summer when he opts out of his contract. Some of that talk has even come from within the Warriors organization.
No player seemed more frustrated than Durant after Golden State was blown out at home by the Boston Celtics on Tuesday. When a reporter asked him about Steve Kerr saying the Warriors need to play with more “anger,” Durant took an obvious swipe at the coach.
“I thought we move off of joy?” Durant asked. “Now it’s anger? OK. I disagree with that one. I think all around, top to bottom, coaches, players, we just gotta be better.”
As Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports notes, that was a reference to a phrase Kerr previously used on numerous occasions to describe Golden State’s style of play. Haynes said people in the room were “stunned” by Durant’s comments, and he added that there are some people within the Warriors’ organization who are “concerned that Durant’s behavior is a sign that he’s already got one foot out the door.”
No outcome would be a shock for Durant this summer. If he re-signs with the Warriors on a max contract, he’ll say he never intended to leave. If he decides to move on to the New York Knicks or some other team, plenty of people will say the writing was on the wall all season.
Remember, one anonymous Warriors player said earlier in the year that there’s “no way” Durant will re-sign with the team in the wake of his highly publicized feud with Draymond Green. Another championship could change everything, but it could also further convince Durant that his work with Golden State is done.
