Kevin Durant Leaving OKC For Golden State Warriors
OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- Kevin Durant is signing with the Warriors.
Free agent Durant made his announcement Monday in a post on 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," Durant wrote. "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."
The 2-year, $54 million deal includes a player option after the first year.
The news that the 27-year-old is joining ranks with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson lit up social media morning.
"It's official! #KevinDurant has announced he'll roll with the #Warriors!
It's official! #KevinDurant has announced he'll roll with the #Warriors! ????????????????????????????#DubNation,… https://t.co/e142iCGIS1
— LetsGoWarriors (@LetsGoWarriors) July 4, 2016
Durant met with the Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat and the Warriors before making his decision.
He will officially sign on July 7.
ALSO READ: Curry's Contract Allowed Warriors To Land Durant
In all likelihood Durant's arrival will make free agent Harrson Barnes' departure official.
The Dallas Mavericks have offered the Warriors' forward a 4-year, $95 million contract.
According to an Associated Press report the Warriors would match the offer but would be "more likely to to do so if they don't get an agreement with Kevin Durant."
There has been much speculation on which players the Warriors will have to part with in order to clear enough cap space to sign Durant.
Durant helped the Thunder finish third in the West, making it to the second round in the Western Conference Finals, last season. The 2014 MVP had nothing but kind words for his soon-to-be former team.
"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."
Thunder Chairman Clayton I. Bennett and VP./General Manager Sam Presti issued these statements:
In case you were wondering how the Thunder statements on #Durant read in Comic Sans... pic.twitter.com/tOe0xmtYDk
— Brian Sandalow (@BrianSandalow) July 4, 2016
