OAKLAND (KRON) — Kevin Durant has announced that he will sign with the Golden State Warriors.
The free agent will leave the Oklahoma City Thunder to join two-time MVP Stephen Curry and the record-breaking Warriors. Durant can’t officially sign until July 7, but he has given the Warriors a verbal agreement and is expected to be on the roster next season.
The Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and Oklahoma City Thunder were all among the teams that were trying to recruit the 2014 NBA MVP to their franchise.
Jerry West called Durant on Saturday to convince the 2014 MVP to join the Warriors.
Harrison Barnes and Andrew Bogut are not expected to be on the team next season as a result of the Durant signing.
Durant announced his decision in an article titled My Next Chapter on The Player’s 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.
In the article, he discusses the how tough it was to make the decision to leave the Oklahoma City.
It really pains me to know that I will disappoint so many people with this choice, but I believe I am doing what I feel is the right thing at this point in my life and my playing career.