Most people were shocked at Kevin Durant's decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder and join the Golden State Warriors this summer.
Most shocked were probably KD's now former teammates.
Serge Ibaka was one of the pillars of Oklahoma City's run over the last six years and recently was asked if he had a sense that Durant was going to leave in an interview with UKComplex.com:
No, not really. And it's tough for him. It's tough to make that kind of decision and it's not easy, but at the end of the day he needs to do what makes him happy. What he thinks makes him happy, makes his family happy, that matters. We have to accept that and from the position of Oklahoma City, from the team, it's tough if your star leaves like that and I understand that. But, there's some stuff in life that we can't control. The fans in Oklahoma City and the team can't control that and if that makes Kevin Durant happy, then good for him.
Ibaka probably didn't even have a sense that his days in OKC were numbered either. The Thunder traded Ibaka on the night of the NBA Draft to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and rookie Domantas Sabonis. At the time, that move looked to bolster the Thunder for the upcoming season until Durant left.
Still, Durant's decision was close to Ibaka's heart, who admitted that he was surprised with the move.
Yeah, of course you're going to be surprised. But, as I say again, if that's going to make him happy then that's good. Everyone should be happy, that's why we play this game. To have fun and if that's the case for him, then good for him.
That's a pretty understanding outlook from Ibaka, who will be looking for that same kind of happiness with his new franchise.
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