Kevin Durant and the Warriors: How did we get here?

July 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; USA guard Kevin Durant (5, left) shakes hands with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (right) after an exhibition basketball game at Oracle Arena. USA defeated China 107-57. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
July 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; USA guard Kevin Durant (5, left) shakes hands with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (right) after an exhibition basketball game at Oracle Arena. USA defeated China 107-57. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Monta trade worked out well – like, really well 

That trade of Monta for Bogut? The trade that has everyone up in arms and looks awful because they’re giving up their franchise player for an injury-prone center who never lived up to his expectations as a No. 1 overall draft pick and can’t really score anymore? The trade that has 18,000 fans booing owner Joe Lacob while he stood at center court to speak at Chris Mullin‘s jersey retirement ceremony?

It’s going to be so lopsided, and it’s the complete opposite result that you expected.

Monta will become an NBA journeyman, a good player but hardly a star. Bogut will be the big man the Warriors lacked for decades, protecting the rim and grabbing boards. He will jumpstart the culture shift of the Warriors and play just as pivotal a role on offense as his defense, handling the ball, setting screens, and creating open shots for Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson (these two are really good at basketball now. More on them below).

Next: Let's talk about Steph