The Decision to Join the Warriors: Kevin Durant’s Journey to the Bay Area

Kevin Durant’s move to the Golden State Warriors in the summer of 2016 was one of the most significant decisions in recent NBA history. It not only altered the trajectory of Durant’s career but also reshaped the competitive landscape of the league. When Durant famously said, “I was already sold when they walked in,” he was referring to his immediate connection with the Warriors during their pitch to him, which ultimately led to him signing with the team in a move that shocked and enthralled basketball fans worldwide. This statement reveals the level of conviction he had about his choice to join a team that was already a dynasty and how it was much more than just an opportunity for a championship — it was about the culture, the environment, and the people involved.

To understand Durant’s decision, it is important to first examine the backdrop of the 2016 NBA season. The Warriors had just completed an unforgettable regular season, finishing with a record-breaking 73-9 record, surpassing the previous best mark of 72-10 set by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls. They were fresh off a Finals appearance, where they lost a heart-wrenching series to the Cleveland Cavaliers after leading 3-1. The Warriors’ loss left a bitter taste in their mouths, but their core trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green was still one of the most potent in NBA history.

Durant, on the other hand, was coming off a stunning playoff run with the Oklahoma City Thunder. After being eliminated by the Warriors in a dramatic seven-game series in the Western Conference Finals, Durant was at a crossroads. The Thunder had come close to dethroning the Warriors but had faltered in the decisive Game 7. Durant was faced with a difficult decision: stay in Oklahoma City and continue his quest to win a championship with a team that had come so close or pursue a new opportunity elsewhere. His decision to leave the Thunder and join the Warriors was undoubtedly one of the most talked-about decisions in NBA history, and the manner in which Durant arrived at his choice speaks volumes about what drove him to the Bay Area.

The Pitch: A New Opportunity

Durant’s free-agent meeting with the Warriors in July 2016 was shrouded in anticipation. The Warriors, after all, were coming off one of the most dominant regular seasons in NBA history, and the addition of a player like Durant would turn them into an almost unbeatable force. But Durant wasn’t simply looking for a team that would guarantee him a championship. He was seeking a place where he could grow as a player and be part of something bigger than just basketball.

The Warriors’ pitch to Durant was led by the trio of Curry, Green, and Thompson, along with head coach Steve Kerr and the Warriors’ front office. From the moment Durant walked into that meeting, he could sense that this wasn’t just about basketball; it was about culture. Durant was drawn to the Warriors’ unselfish style of play, their focus on team-oriented basketball, and the fact that the organization had established a winning environment that extended beyond just one season or two.

Durant later reflected on the meeting, saying, “I was already sold when they walked in.” This sentiment revealed just how powerful the Warriors’ pitch had been. It wasn’t the sheer basketball talent of Curry and Thompson that won Durant over. It was the culture of the Warriors, the people who made up the team, and the shared vision they had for success. The Warriors’ philosophy of unselfish basketball, predicated on ball movement, spacing, and a commitment to collective effort, appealed to Durant’s own values as a player. It resonated with him on a deeper level than just the prospect of winning a title.

For Durant, the meeting with the Warriors wasn’t simply about joining a superteam; it was about finding a group of players who would push him to be his best while allowing him to thrive in a system that suited his skills. Curry, Thompson, and Green’s willingness to share the spotlight and defer to one another was a stark contrast to the individualistic nature of many NBA teams, and it was this collective approach that Durant found so compelling. The idea of joining a team where the goal was always to make the right play rather than seeking individual glory spoke to Durant’s desire to elevate his game and contribute to a team dynamic that prioritized winning above all else.

The Decision: A New Chapter

Kevin Durant’s decision to join the Warriors was not an easy one, and it came with its fair share of controversy. Critics quickly labeled his move as one that would undermine the competitive balance of the NBA. After all, the Warriors had just come off a 73-win season and were considered the most talented team in the league. Many felt that Durant’s decision to join such a dominant team was a shortcut to a championship, and it sparked widespread debate across the basketball community. Some praised Durant for making a smart career move, while others accused him of taking the easy way out.

But for Durant, the decision wasn’t about appeasing critics or avoiding the spotlight. It was about pursuing a legacy built on more than just personal achievements. Durant had already won an MVP award and had cemented his status as one of the league’s premier players. What he was searching for was a championship, and he wanted to be part of a team that could offer him the best chance to achieve that goal.

By joining the Warriors, Durant was also making a statement about his desire to be part of something greater than individual accolades. His decision to leave Oklahoma City, a city where he had spent the majority of his career and where he had become a beloved figure, was undoubtedly a difficult one. But Durant recognized that the Warriors presented him with a unique opportunity — to play in a system that would maximize his talents and allow him to chase the one thing that had eluded him: an NBA championship.

The backlash Durant faced was intense, but over time, it became clear that his decision was the right one for him. Durant seamlessly integrated into the Warriors’ system, and the results were immediate. In his first season with Golden State, he helped lead the team to a 67-15 regular-season record and played a pivotal role in the team’s dominant playoff run. The Warriors lost only one game in the postseason, cruising to a 16-1 record and capturing the NBA title. Durant was named Finals MVP, solidifying his place among the league’s elite players.

The 2017 NBA Finals, in particular, served as the crowning moment of Durant’s decision to join the Warriors. In the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Durant was nothing short of spectacular. He averaged 35.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game while shooting 55.6% from the field and 44% from three-point range. His performance in Game 3 of the Finals, where he hit a clutch three-pointer over LeBron James to seal the win, became one of the most iconic moments in NBA history. Durant’s all-around brilliance was a testament to how well he fit into the Warriors’ system and how he was able to elevate his game within a team-oriented environment.

Legacy: The Impact on Durant’s Career and the NBA

Kevin Durant’s decision to join the Warriors had a profound impact on his career and legacy. While he had already achieved individual success, including an MVP award in 2014, his decision to team up with the Warriors allowed him to reach new heights. Winning back-to-back NBA championships with Golden State in 2017 and 2018, Durant cemented his status as one of the greatest players of his generation. His back-to-back Finals MVPs further solidified his place among the elite, as he was able to demonstrate his ability to perform on the biggest stage while playing in a system that maximized his strengths.

For the Warriors, Durant’s arrival turned them into an even more unstoppable force. The combination of Durant, Curry, Thompson, and Green created a team that was nearly unbeatable, and their dominance in the league was unparalleled. The Warriors’ two championships with Durant were a testament to the success of their team-oriented approach and their commitment to building a dynasty.

However, Durant’s move to the Warriors also had a lasting impact on the NBA as a whole. While it helped elevate the Warriors to unprecedented levels of success, it also sparked a wider conversation about player movement and the evolving nature of NBA rosters. Durant’s decision to join an already-established team raised questions about what it meant to build a championship contender and whether the NBA’s superteams were becoming too dominant.