The summer of 2016 may as well have been called the summer of Kevin Durant. Durant was the most sought-after free agent with the freedom to choose virtually any situation he wanted. With the salary cap increased and big contracts being shelled out left and right, Durant was in prime position to pick a winning situation and money.
On the evening of July 3rd, Kevin Durant had his final meetings with the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder and has made his decision via the Players' Tribune:
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. 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.
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.
Sources tell @ESPNSteinLine that Durant will sign a 2-year/$54M deal with a player option after the first season. pic.twitter.com/R4DajHUqHK
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 4, 2016
This is a huge blow for the Thunder as a lot of their free agency plans hinged on Durant's final decision, but in the end, he decided to go to Golden State.
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