The feud that broke out between Kevin Durant and Draymond Green late in the Golden State Warriors’ game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night was apparently just the tip of the iceberg, and at least one player on the team believes it ruined any chance of Durant staying with the Warriors beyond this season.
Marcus Thompson II spoke with several Warriors sources — including players — who made it clear that Monday’s verbal altercation between Durant and Green was about more than just Green’s decision to not pass the ball as the final seconds of regulation ticked away with the game tied at 106. Green felt as though Durant was trying to show him up, and he made things personal when he reportedly reminded Durant that Golden State was winning before he arrived. Green also called K.D. out for letting his impending free agency become a distraction for the team.
Green ended up being suspended for calling Durant a “b—-” numerous times, but one anonymous Warriors player told Thompson that he believes things Green said to Durant about his impending free agency caused irreparable damage.
“With what was said, there is already no way Durant is coming back,” the player said. “The only hope is that (management) can say this summer, ‘See, KD. We’ve got your back. We protected you from Draymond.’”
Some see the Warriors’ decision to suspend Green for Tuesday night’s game as the organization’s way of choosing sides, creating questions about whether Green could end up wanting to leave Golden State. That said, Thompson was told that Durant’s teammates have made it clear that they have no interest in “another Please-Stay-KD tour” this summer.
It would be easy to chalk Monday’s altercation up to two competitive teammates butting heads in the head of battle, but the way Durant spoke about the situation the following day proved the issue is a significant one. If one player is convinced Durant will bolt in free agency because of it, the Warriors may have a significant problem on their hands.
