Kevin Durant is leaving Oklahoma City.
In an article he wrote for The Players Tribune , the forward announced he is going to "join the Golden State Warriors."
He explains:
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.
I'm from Washington, D.C. originally, but Oklahoma City truly raised me. 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.
Durant can't officially sign until July 7. He will now be paired with All-Stars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
Durant has been a difficult adversary for the Warriors __ he averaged 30 points per game against them in this year's Western Conference finals and dropped a career-high 54 points on them in 2014.
The 2014 MVP and four-time scoring champion led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the NBA Finals in 2012, and to the Western Conference finals in four of the past six years — and he's only 27. He recovered from a broken bone in his right foot that cost him much of last season to post one of the best years of his career.
Durant met with the Thunder, Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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