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How the Warriors recent success impacts Kevin Durant’s free agency

By Tony Pesta

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors warms up before Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 08, 2019 in Oakland, California. 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors warms up before Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 08, 2019 in Oakland, California. 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors have been on fire, even though they are playing without Kevin Durant. Today we analyze how this effects KD’s free agency decision.

It’s not very often that the best player on a championship contending team can get injured without massive consequences. As for the calf injury to Kevin Durant, the Golden State Warriors haven’t missed a beat. Could this success influence Durant’s upcoming free agency decision?

For those who somehow don’t know, Durant will have the option to become a free agent at the end of this season. The two-time Finals MVP has enjoyed his stay with the Warriors, but could this be his final run with the Dubs? Many believe his stint with the Warriors was always intended to be a short one and a new chapter could soon follow.

However, Durant’s situation is certainly a peculiar one. I can’t recall a single moment in NBA history in which a star player left a championship team directly after winning a championship. This is what Durant might be doing this Summer if the Warriors continue to dominate the way they have been.

What makes this scenario even more strange is the fact that Golden State hasn’t struggled a bit without Durant in the lineup. Falling late in Game 5 versus the Houston Rockets, the Dubs managed to win three consecutive games without their leading scorer.

In Durant’s absence, former two-time MVP, Stephen Curry, has been balling. Since KD suffered his injury, Curry has been averaging 34.5 points per game and has hit 13-of-26 attempts from beyond the arc. This surge from Curry is making some believe that KD has been holding him back the entire time.

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With all of this being said, it is very reasonable to assume the Warriors success without Durant is going to sway his upcoming decision. I’m sure KD wants to challenge himself after the last few seasons of unprecedented success and this is a solid opportunity for him to leave the franchise to pursue his goals without causing too much damage.

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