“I Was Already Sold When They Walked In” – KD Didn’t Take Long to Make His Mind Up About Joining the Warriors
When Kevin Durant made the decision to join the Golden State Warriors in the summer of 2016, it sent shockwaves through the NBA. Durant, one of the league’s premier talents, was leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team he had led to the NBA Finals in 2012 and had built a strong relationship with the city of Oklahoma City. The move was controversial, criticized by some fans as a “weak” choice to join a team that had already set a regular-season record of 73 wins, and was coming off a championship series appearance. Yet, Durant’s reasoning behind the decision was both strategic and personal, and his comments about being “sold” once the Warriors entered the room reflect the simplicity and conviction behind his choice.
The Context: An Unprecedented Opportunity
Durant’s decision to leave the Thunder was not made in a vacuum. The 2015-16 season had been a landmark year for the Warriors. Under the leadership of head coach Steve Kerr, the Warriors had finished with the best regular-season record in NBA history (73-9) and had been one game away from winning the NBA Finals. Despite their regular-season dominance, the Warriors fell short in the Finals, losing a 3-1 series lead to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In contrast, Durant’s Thunder were in a similar position during the 2016 Western Conference Finals, as they led the Warriors 3-1 before a historic comeback by Golden State.
This sequence of events set the stage for Durant’s free agency. Durant, despite his success in Oklahoma City, was beginning to question whether he could win an NBA championship with the Thunder, particularly after coming so close yet falling short against the Warriors. With his contract expiring, Durant had the chance to explore new opportunities, and the Warriors, with their star-studded roster led by Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, seemed like an ideal fit.
The Warriors’ Pitch: A Team-Based Vision
The decision for Durant to join the Warriors, while a shock to many, wasn’t as spontaneous as it might have seemed at first. Durant was deeply moved by the Warriors’ team-based philosophy and how their culture aligned with his own values. The Warriors were not just a collection of talented individuals—they were a cohesive unit that prioritized teamwork, ball movement, and unselfish play. Their system, built around fluid offense and defensive versatility, had shown its potency in the 2015-16 season. Durant could see that the Warriors were a team built for sustained success, and their unselfish style of play resonated with his desire to win, rather than chase individual accolades.
According to Durant, it was not just the players who impressed him during the recruitment process, but the front office and coaching staff. In his first public comments about the decision, Durant acknowledged how the Warriors’ leadership approached him with a clear and compelling vision for the future. Warriors general manager Bob Myers and head coach Steve Kerr were not just looking to add a star player—they wanted someone who could elevate their team dynamics. Durant was intrigued by their vision, which focused on creating an environment where everyone played to their strengths while emphasizing collective success.
“My thing is, when I see a great opportunity, when I see a system that I can fit into and be successful, I just wanted to take full advantage of it,” Durant said in a press conference shortly after the decision. “I was already sold when they walked in the room.”
The Emotional Side: A New Beginning
While the Warriors’ pitch was undoubtedly professional and compelling, there was an emotional component to Durant’s decision as well. After spending nearly a decade in Oklahoma City, Durant was ready for a fresh start. The Thunder had a close-knit culture, and Durant had formed strong bonds with his teammates and the community. However, the constant pressure to carry the team to a championship began to weigh on him. Despite being one of the best players in the league, Durant was haunted by the feeling that he might never be able to break through and capture an NBA title with the Thunder.
In many ways, Durant’s decision to join the Warriors was about mental and emotional peace. He had endured years of scrutiny and criticism, especially in the aftermath of Oklahoma City’s failure to secure a title. The Warriors represented a new opportunity to build something that was not just about him as an individual, but about winning as a team. Joining the Warriors allowed Durant to be a part of something larger than himself, where the emphasis was on chemistry, collaboration, and winning together.
Durant also saw a potential for growth with the Warriors, as they presented an opportunity to push his game to new heights. While he was already a prolific scorer and elite player, the Warriors’ system would allow him to be even more effective—both as a scorer and a playmaker. Durant had often been relied upon to carry the entire offensive load in Oklahoma City, but in Golden State, he could contribute in a more balanced way, surrounded by players who complemented his game.
The Fallout: Backlash and Criticism
Durant’s decision was met with mixed reactions from fans and pundits alike. Many saw it as a betrayal of the competitive spirit, labeling it as a “weak” move to join a team that had just defeated his own in the playoffs. Some felt that Durant’s decision diminished his individual legacy, as winning a championship with the Warriors would be perceived as easier compared to achieving success with a less stacked roster.
However, Durant was unbothered by the criticism. He stood by his decision, believing that joining the Warriors was the best chance for him to achieve his ultimate goal: winning an NBA championship. Durant was tired of the narrative that winning championships was the only way to validate his legacy, and he was determined to focus on what made him happy. For him, basketball was about the love of the game, and winning with the Warriors would be the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance.
In fact, Durant’s arrival in Golden State would prove to be a transformative one—not just for him, but for the team as a whole. Over the next three seasons, Durant helped the Warriors capture two NBA championships (2017 and 2018), earning Finals MVP honors in both years. The Warriors’ addition of Durant solidified their place as one of the greatest teams in NBA history, creating a dynasty that dominated the league for several years.
The Legacy of the Decision
Durant’s move to the Warriors is now part of his larger basketball legacy. While it remains one of the most scrutinized decisions in NBA history, it also reflects Durant’s desire for growth, his pursuit of championships, and his commitment to playing in a system that aligned with his values. The decision wasn’t made in haste but was the result of careful consideration, one that focused on his personal happiness and career aspirations. As Durant later reflected, “I was already sold when they walked in the room,” because the Warriors represented a team-first mentality that made sense for him at that point in his career.
As we look back on Durant’s tenure with the Warriors, it is clear that his time in Golden State had a lasting impact not only on his career but on the NBA landscape. Durant’s championships with the Warriors cemented his place among the league’s greats, and his partnership with Curry, Thompson, and Green became one of the most potent and unselfish combinations in basketball history.
In the end, Durant’s decision to join the Warriors wasn’t just about chasing rings; it was about finding the right fit for his game, his aspirations, and his peace of mind. Though his move may have sparked controversy at the time, it ultimately validated his belief in the importance of team success over individual glory—and in that sense, Durant truly found his place among basketball’s elite.
