Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

Golden State Warriors: Will Kevin Durant Leave Next Offseason?

By Derek Tahara

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 8: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals on June 8, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 8: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals on June 8, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

There have been rumors about Golden State Warriors superstar Kevin Durant potentially leaving the team next offseason, but will he?

Recently, Golden State Warriors reigning Finals MVP Kevin Durant applauded LeBron James’ move to join the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency this summer. Here is what he said:

"“I thought it was the perfect decision, perfect move, did everything he was supposed to do in Cleveland. I think this is the perfect next step for him, and he’s kinda breaking down the barriers of what an NBA superstar is supposed to be.”"

Durant is absolutely correct to say that it was the perfect decision for James to go to Los Angeles. He’s stating this in support of player empowerment where players should be able to choose where they want to play instead of being swayed by the influence of fans and media in free agency decisions.

Now, does this mean that Durant wants to join James in LA?

Not necessarily.

He was just stating his opinion on a particular basketball topic.

Durant has not only been linked to the Lakers next offseason, but also, the New York Knicks. The Knicks have the salary cap space to sign two max contract players next offseason and Durant seems to be a possible fit for the Knicks.

The main reason Durant would sign with New York is because of New York’s market size and a promising core of Kristaps Porzingis and Frank Ntilikina.

More from Blue Man Hoop

However, it is difficult to see Durant leave the Warriors next offseason for one reason in particular. According to The New York Times‘ Marc Stein in his newsletter, the Knicks’ pipedream of a Durant signing isn’t far off—but their pitch would come after the Warriors new arena, the Chase Center, opens in 2019-2020.

"Knicks fans dreaming of a Durant signing next summer are hereby forewarned: It’s not inconceivable that he may actually choose to make Madison Square Garden home someday, but it’s extremely difficult to imagine the Silicon Valley-loving Durant doing so without playing at least one season in the Warriors’ new Chase Center palace in San Francisco, which doesn’t open until the 2019-2020 campaign."

Durant has achieved everything he has set out to accomplish when he signed with the Warriors two summers ago: win back-to-back titles and Finals MVP awards. While it wouldn’t be a complete surprise if he left Golden State next summer, it’s more likely that KD would stay to play at least one season in the San Francisco palace that is the Chase Center.

Next. Will Kevin Durant win the MVP Award next season?. dark

All eyes will be on Durant throughout this season with questions bombarding him about his potential free agency as he tries to help the Golden State Warriors attain the rare three-peat.

Home/Warriors News