The biggest question of 2016’s NBA Free Agency has been answered. Kevin Durant is a Golden State Warrior.
The MVP made the announcement on The Player’s Tribune, the same platform where Kobe Bryant shared the news of his retirement. In his post, Durant explains that the decision-making process was an emotional one for him, but he had a clear vision of what he wanted.
“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,” he says. “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.”
Durant is expected to sign a two-year deal worth $54.3 million to join Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and the 2015 NBA Champions, according to ESPN.
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The 27-year-old superstar was drafted in 2007 by the Seattle Supersonics. The team moved to Oklahoma City the next season. Durant takes the time to thank the franchise for nurturing his career.
“I’m from Washington, D.C. originally, but Oklahoma City truly raised me,” Durant continues. “It taught me so much about family as well as what it means to be a man. There are no words to express what the organization and the community mean to me, and what they will represent in my life and in my heart forever. The memories and friendships are something that go far beyond the game. Those invaluable relationships are what made this deliberation so challenging.”
KD reportedly met with six teams before making his decision. Jay Z was supposedly trying to get the Roc Nation signee to also meet with the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks, who recently signed Derrick Rose, but Durant declined.
Durant has been cursed by Lil B the BasedGod after he called him a “wack rapper” back in 2011. During the Western Conference Finals this year against Golden State, the BasedGod reaffirmed his curse on Twitter. The Warriors went on to lose the series after going up 3-1.
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Still no reaction from the BasedGod on Durant’s decision to take his talents to the Bay.Update: Lil B has responded.
But check out other Hip Hop reactions below:
