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.
As for the contract…
Kevin Durant will sign a two-year deal with the Warriors at $54.3 million, league sources say, with a Player Option for Year 2
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 4, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
The Celtics tried… and depending on how it goes for him in Golden State, there’s an opportunity to do this again next season. But I think the 1+1 deal is just to get more money. It’s hard not to feel disappointed by this after all the tantalizing rumors.
Now the only question is how public sentiment will turn against the Dubs. They have been fun to watch and a great majority of people had an easy time rooting for them over the past couple of years. Then Draymond Green went on a dick punch/kick spree and Durant chose them as the league’s newest “super team.” This where everything went south (pun intended) for LeBron James. Granted, a player’s tribune piece isn’t quite the same as “The Decision”… but people will see it that way.
The bigger issue at hand now is… how do teams approach this season knowing Durant is in Golden State. A loaded team that just fell short of back-to-back titles just added one of the best players ever. How do they NOT whip off a bunch of titles now? As Danny Ainge puts his plan together, he has to fell the gut-punch of knowing he’s got a hell of a dragon to slay even if he gets out of the East.
Again, great effort by the Celtics, and it’s very meaningful that they’ve gotten one huge free agent prize and just missed on another. We’ll see what other tricks Danny Ainge has up his sleeve.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
