Kevin Durant‘s basketball career has always been artistic, filled with many ups and downs. But in his 17-year career, perhaps nothing has been more controversial than his decision in 2016.
That was the year he left the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Golden State Warriors, a move that shocked the league and raised questions about his integrity and the lengths he would go to win a championship.
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Even before his move to the Golden State was finalized, Durant faced rumors that he had assured Russell Westbrook he was staying in OKC.
“I didn’t say that — words about me telling Russell or Nick that I would stay or leave never came out of my mouth. We met as teammates, but no promises came out of it,” Durant told The Vertical in 2016.
The fallout in OKC
When his decision became official, the aftermath was chaotic. Fans were fuming at the former second overall pick for jumping ship, ending a once-promising duo with Westbrook and making it one of the most controversial breakups in league history.
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Durant stood by his choice. He made it clear that public perception would not dictate his career path — a mindset that would define the rest of his journey.
Joining a team with an established core and proven success, Durant knew a huge load would be off his shoulders. But it also meant he was no longer the main guy, a role he was comfortable relinquishing to Stephen Curry.
“Steph Curry is the face of the franchise, and that helps me out, because I don’t have to,” he told GQ Magazine in 2017. “I don’t want to have to be the leader. I’m not a leader.”
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The adjustment was huge but hardly affected his efficiency. Instead, it allowed him to focus on scoring and contributing in any way the Warriors needed to win. Durant was comfortable taking a step back from the leadership role to focus solely on basketball. Winning championships was the only thing that mattered, and that sacrifice rewarded him handsomely.
From alpha to co-star
Durant won back-to-back championships with the Dubs and earned two Finals MVPs for his efforts. It proved that, regardless of recognition, KD could perform at any capacity for any team, further solidifying his place among the game’s all-time greats.
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His career has been bumpy, but he did it his way. Being the talented player that he is, KD never craved the label of franchise savior. Instead, he authored a different basketball path that delivered titles and MVPs and ultimately secured his place in the Hall of Fame.
To this day, Durant continues to play despite having achieved practically everything an NBA player could aim for. He could retire tomorrow knowing his legacy is safe.
But KD has no plans to slow down with the fire to compete still burning and he plans to do that with his fifth team, the Houston Rockets, where they believe he can be the veteran star that can lead them to a title. On paper, their odds look great and this looks like a fit he has been missing since he left the Bay, but we need to wait for the season to start to see it.
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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.