The wait is finally over and losing the 2015-16 championship now feels like a distant memory. Today is Independence Day, but for Warriors fan all over the world, today is the day they landed Kevin Durant.
The former MVP wrote a piece on The Player’s Tribune informing the world of his decision and it turns out he’s coming to the Bay Area.
Here’s a small excerpt from Durant’s piece:
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.
This is unbelievable. The Warriors just landed the biggest free agent available and now they have become the overwhelming favorites to win the NBA title. It’s an exciting time to be a fan of the Dubs.
Durant’s deal with the Warriors will be short. According to Marc Stein of ESPN, Durant and the Warriors agreed to a 2-year deal worth $54.3 million:
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
Durant is likely aiming for a bigger pay day if he decides to opt out after the end of next season, but we can worry about that later. Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Durant. Not only does that sound like the All-Star team, that’s four out of five starters for the Dubs, is the rest of the NBA worried yet?
Most were expecting the Thunder to retain his services, but Durant shocked everyone with his decision on the Fourth. Not only does this make the Warriors a potential dynasty, but the Thunder don’t look so threatening now.
Quite frankly, no team can match up with the Warriors at this point. Expect some of the elite teams in the NBA to make some moves to try and catch up to the Dubs.
A team that just lost in the NBA Finals and won 73 games just landed one of the three best players in the league. If you hated the Warriors last year, it’s not going to get any better this season.