Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will be on opposite sides next time they step on the court. (Getty)
In the aftermath of Kevin Durant’s decision to leave Oklahoma City for Golden State, basketball fans want to know what went into his decision. Specifically, there is speculation that Durant grew tired of playing with Russell Westbrook.
Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck cited a source close to Durant. “Ultimately, he got frustrated and felt that they had plateaued. [Billy Donovan] came in, and he still had the same issues that he had with Russ under Scotty. The offense didn’t change much. He still had to take a ton of contested shots every game; and that’s when he had the ball at all,” the source told the Bleacher Report.
Westbrook has not commented publicly since the announcement. He posted this photo celebrating July 4th, and it had nothing to do with basketball:
FOX Sports Kristine Leahy noted fans could look at the meetings to see that Westbrook may not have been an asset to retaining Durant:
.@KristineLeahy reads the tea leaves of Kevin Durant’s departure from Russell Westbrook & OKC. #TheHerd
There is also the factor that Westbrook will be a free agent next offseason. Durant was likely hesitant to commit long-term without assurance from Westbrook that he would stay next offseason. ESPN reported the duo was prepared to go their separate ways next offseason regardless of Durant’s decision.
There is no evidence that suggests Durant had a personal feud with Westbrook. The duo appear to be close friends off the court, but, as Bleacher Report indicated, Durant grew tired of playing with Westbrook.
The Warriors offense that emphasizes ball movement became appealing to Durant. So appealing that it was too tempting for Durant.
The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Warriors sales pitch was too much for Durant to pass up:
In meeting, Bob Myers told Durant: Without you, we can another title or two. Without us, you might win too. Together? We’ll win a bunch.
The biggest factor in Durant’s decision looks like it came down to which team gave him the best chance to win long-term. As talented as the Thunder’s roster was, it did not compare to the opportunity to team up with three other All-Star caliber players.
While Beck’s report shows Westbrook and the Thunder’s offense could have contributed. As Warriors GM Bob Myers said, it was the Warriors ability to give Durant the best chance to win multiple championships that was the selling point.
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Did Westbrook Lead Durant to Sign With the Warriors?