Kevin Durant’s decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016 and sign with the Golden State Warriors was one of the most controversial and scrutinized moves in recent NBA history. However, it was not until years later that Durant openly expressed his regret for the way the situation played out, particularly in relation to his fallout with Draymond Green. In January 2025, Durant admitted in an interview that his departure from Golden State, and the ensuing tension with Green, was a “terrible” situation that he wished had been handled differently. The complexity of Durant’s feelings about the breakup with the Warriors reflects a larger narrative of personal growth, reflection, and the emotional toll of navigating high-stakes professional relationships.
Durant’s move to the Warriors came after a heartbreaking 2016 Western Conference Finals loss to Golden State, a series where the Thunder had been up 3-1 before ultimately losing in seven games. The defeat was an agonizing blow for Durant, who had carried Oklahoma City to the precipice of the NBA Finals. At that moment, Durant was faced with a tough decision about the direction of his career. The Warriors, fresh off an NBA-record 73-win season, were already a juggernaut. When Durant chose to join them in the summer of 2016, it sparked a firestorm of criticism.
Many fans and analysts believed that Durant’s decision was a shortcut to a championship — an effort to team up with an already established powerhouse rather than trying to win on his own. The reaction was swift and sharp, particularly from Oklahoma City fans, but also from former players and analysts who felt Durant had abandoned a competitive challenge. The Warriors’ dominance in the years following Durant’s arrival, which resulted in two championships (2017 and 2018) and multiple Finals appearances, only deepened the debate.
However, in the midst of these external narratives, Durant’s relationship with his teammates, especially Green, became the focal point of internal drama. Green was an emotional leader for the Warriors, known for his fiery competitiveness and no-nonsense approach to the game. On the court, Green’s intensity was a huge asset, but off the court, his passionate nature occasionally rubbed teammates the wrong way.
The 2018 season, which was one of the Warriors’ most successful campaigns, was also marred by internal tension. During a regular-season game in November 2018, an altercation between Green and Durant on the sidelines during a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers erupted into a public spat. Green, in a moment of frustration, confronted Durant during a timeout, questioning his commitment to the team and his desire to be a part of the Warriors’ future. What began as a typical competitive argument quickly escalated, and Green’s harsh words publicly suggested that Durant was not fully invested in the Warriors’ long-term success.
The altercation, while not as heated as some might have thought, became a symbol of the broader disconnect between Durant and the Warriors, particularly with Green. The argument reportedly lingered in the locker room and led to a tense atmosphere for the rest of the season. Durant, who had already been dealing with his own feelings of isolation and media scrutiny, found the situation particularly difficult. As a result, he became increasingly disillusioned with his time in Golden State. By the summer of 2019, Durant decided to leave the Warriors and sign with the Brooklyn Nets, a move that seemed to solidify his desire for a fresh start and to escape the shadows of his previous team.
In hindsight, Durant’s decision to leave the Warriors was clearly influenced by a combination of factors: his strained relationship with Green, the pressure of living up to the expectations of joining a superteam, and his internal search for a team where he could build a more sustainable legacy. Durant’s time with Golden State was undeniably successful, but it was also fraught with emotional turbulence. As the years passed, Durant’s feelings about his departure became more complex.
Fast forward to January 2025, six years after the split between Durant and Green, and the NBA world saw a different, more introspective Durant. In a candid interview, Durant expressed regret about how he handled the situation with Green and the Warriors. Reflecting on the 2018 altercation and its aftermath, Durant admitted that his response to the tension was poorly managed. He recognized that his decision to leave the Warriors was partly driven by a desire to escape uncomfortable emotions rather than addressing them head-on. Durant described his departure from Golden State as a “terrible” choice in hindsight, one that he wished he had handled with more maturity and understanding of the bigger picture.
Durant’s apology was not solely directed at Green but also at his former teammates and the Warriors organization as a whole. He acknowledged that he may have let personal feelings cloud his judgment during that time, and he expressed regret for how it affected the dynamic within the team. Durant’s comments revealed a deep self-awareness and growth that perhaps was not as apparent during the heat of the moment. He also recognized that his departure from Golden State, while ultimately successful in his pursuit of another championship with the Nets, came at a personal cost. The fallout with Green, which had created a rift within the Warriors’ locker room, was something Durant had to come to terms with over the years.
The emotional toll of his time with Golden State and the subsequent departure mirrored the broader challenges faced by elite athletes trying to navigate the intense pressures of professional sports. Durant, for all his basketball talent, is also a deeply reflective individual, and this self-reflection has led him to revisit his past decisions. His expression of regret indicates a personal evolution, as he now sees the value in addressing conflicts in a more constructive way rather than allowing them to fester.
One of the key aspects of Durant’s regret is the nature of his relationship with Green. The altercation between them was not simply a matter of on-court competition; it was emblematic of the larger tensions surrounding Durant’s decision to join the Warriors. Green’s emotional leadership and brash personality had a profound impact on Durant’s time with the team. However, in retrospect, Durant acknowledged that Green’s fierce loyalty to the Warriors and his blunt communication were driven by a desire to win, even if the delivery wasn’t always ideal.
Durant’s regret also underscores the difficulty of balancing personal aspirations with team dynamics. His time with the Warriors, while ultimately successful in terms of titles, was fraught with moments of doubt and insecurity. Durant, a player known for his quiet demeanor off the court, found himself in the midst of a media frenzy and constant scrutiny, which may have exacerbated the tensions within the locker room. Green, on the other hand, thrived in the Warriors’ environment, but his confrontational nature created friction with a player like Durant, who was more reserved and sensitive to public criticism.
At the heart of Durant’s apology was a recognition of his own growth as both a player and an individual. In the years since leaving Golden State, Durant has matured and gained a new perspective on leadership and teamwork. He now understands that handling conflict with grace, openness, and patience is crucial to maintaining healthy relationships within a team. Durant’s apology also reflects the evolving nature of professional sports culture, where players are increasingly open about their struggles and mental health challenges. The willingness to confront personal shortcomings and apologize publicly is a sign of maturity in an environment that often values toughness and stoicism above all else.
The broader implications of Durant’s regret extend beyond his relationship with Green. His admission speaks to the larger dynamics of NBA superteams and the pressures faced by players who choose to join them. While the Warriors’ success during Durant’s tenure is undeniable, the psychological toll of being part of such a high-profile team is also significant. Durant’s experience serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of personal fulfillment and the impact of internal team relationships on professional success.
Ultimately, Durant’s reflection on his departure from Golden State and his complicated relationship with Green speaks to the nuanced and multifaceted nature of his career. His time with the Warriors was marked by incredible success but also deep personal challenges. Now, as he looks back on those years, Durant has come to terms with his role in the discord and the lasting consequences of his decisions. His regret is not just about the departure from Golden State, but about the emotional journey he undertook in the years following that choice.
As Durant’s career continues to unfold, it is clear that his reflections on his time with the Warriors will inform his approach to the game and his relationships with teammates moving forward. The regret he expressed for his past actions, particularly in relation to Draymond Green, demonstrates the growth of a player who, despite being one of the best to ever play the game, is not immune to the complexities of human relationships. In the end, Durant’s willingness to acknowledge his mistakes and express regret is a powerful reminder that, in sports as in life, growth and self-awareness are key to personal fulfillment and success.
