Kevin Durant is officially a member of the Golden State Warriors. Durant signed a two-year deal with the option to become a free agent again next season. Durant will wear his signature jersey number 35 with the Warriors.
In addition to the press conference, the Warriors released this video of Durant’s thoughts on his decision:
While the decision came as a surprise to many NBA fans, Durant believed he had the best chance of winning multiple titles by signing with the Warriors. Durant will be paired with back-to-back MVP Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green to form arguably the most talented team in the league.
The press conference was Durant’s first public comments aside from his July 4th announcement in the Player’s Tribune.
“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 wrote in the article.
Here’s a sampling of some of the best quotes from the press conference:
Durant: “It’s the best decision for me. I can’t really control how you feel.” More here: t.co/zpflIM1zVr
Durant: “I plan on being here. I don’t want to go through that again.”
Kevin Durant: “That call to Oklahoma City was the hardest thing I’ve had to do in my life. Tears were shed…I trusted my gut.”
Kevin Durant: “We live in a comic book world where either you’re a villian or a superhero if you’re in this position. I can’t control that.”
“To see Steph, Klay and Draymond walk in to the house, I could tell they were all about business.” — Durant
Durant says he was torn between GS-OKC for 2-3 days: “Those nine years, you can’t erase. That love doesn’t fade. Those memories don’t erase”