The narrative around Kevin Durant for the better part of the season has been that he’s leaving the Golden State Warriors this offseason.
Golden State Warriors’ forward Kevin Durant has actually helped push this narrative forward in my opinion. He could have cut all this short by saying he intends to stay.
The fact that Durant didn’t say anything of the sort leaves room for speculation. He hasn’t done anything to indicate that he wants to stay so by all accounts I believe Durant wants out.
What has always puzzled me is, why the narrative for the Golden State Warriors offseason ends with Durant leaving? The Warriors will still be a huge free agent destination in my opinion. Players will want to come and play for the Warriors.
Ever since Joe Lacob and Peter Guber purchased the team, they have made every effort, every season to put the best team on the floor.
When the money is available or can be made available, Warriors management has gone after the best players in the free agency pool. They’ve shown the league they’re willing to do whatever it takes to win and I think players respect that a great deal.
On top of players respecting Warriors management and their will to win, players in the NBA love Stephen Curry. He’s one of the most unselfish superstars we’ve ever seen in the NBA. Curry not only embraces, but empowers his teammates to be themselves on the court.
A guy like Stephen Curry is going to attract free agents without having to recruit them, although I’m sure it helps to know the top gun on the top team wants you there.
The Warriors are actually in a very advantageous position here. If Durant stays, the Warriors keep winning, if he leaves the Warriors have a few options. They can go after a big-time free agent or use the Durant money to help fill out the roster with quality players.
It would definitely help bring back a key role player like Kevon Looney who is a potential starter at the center position next season.
Regardless of what happens, the Warriors are going to be able to tip the scales in their favor this offseason. It sounds silly to say a team losing Kevin Durant will be in a good position going forward but I genuinely feel like the Warriors will be.
This machine is built around Stephen Curry and as long as he is playing at a high level the Warriors will be able to build a team around him.