Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

Kevin Durant staying in Brooklyn is a positive for Golden State Warriors

By Nathan Beighle

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 22: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors at Barclays Center on December 22, 2020 in New York City. The Nets defeated the Warriors 125-99. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 22: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors at Barclays Center on December 22, 2020 in New York City. The Nets defeated the Warriors 125-99. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Golden State Warriors were once among the teams expected to make a run for Kevin Durant. Thankfully, while the rumors were dwindling over the past few weeks, it seems they’ve completely been undercut by Durant noting he’s staying in Brooklyn.

While it might not have been the best possible scenario for Golden State, with Memphis starting to make waves, this is a huge win. Phoenix and Boston were other teams that continued to seem like dark horse contenders for Durant.

The Golden State Warriors no longer have to worry about a Western Conference contending adding a former MVP, and that should be relieving news.

Given that Memphis is among the teams starting to make noise with an ultra-young, uber-talented core, the Warriors don’t need them adding a former MVP and four-time scoring champion to the equation.

The Grizzlies already pushed the Warriors last season, losing in a six-game series in the Western Conference semifinals. Had that series gone to a Game 7, things might have ended differently for the Warriors.

Memphis is going to be among the many teams that, without doing anything, will improve this upcoming season. However, they won’t be trading their abundant draft capital for Durant though, as, per Adrian Wojnarowski, the summer’s rumor mill is now over.

Adding Durant would’ve made them title favorites, as would the Nets trading Durant to the Finals-making Celtics who already traded for Pacers star guard Malcolm Brogdon this offseason. The 6-foot-10 Durant is a rare mix of talent given his size, defense, and shooting.

He’s among the best playmakers in league history.

Durant inked one last massive deal, and that’s been a talking point surrounding his trade demand. Durant is locked up for the next four seasons. Having averaged 29.9 points per game, the 33-year-old forward still has a ton left in the tank.

The Warriors won two titles with Durant on their roster. He’s a franchise-changing player, and with Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons in Brooklyn, they’ll have a shot to win the NBA Championship. However, not as good of one as if Durant had actually been traded to Boston or Memphis.

Next. Top 30 Golden State Warriors players in franchise history. dark

Durant staying in Brooklyn for the long-term future is a win-win scenario for both the Nets and Warriors along with every other contending team that wouldn’t have been able to compete with an already-stacked powerhouse adding a former MVP.

Home/Warriors News