As the final buzzer sounded in Game 7 of the 2016 Western Conference Finals, Kevin Durant stood at the center of a storm. With a 3-1 series lead having slipped away, the weight of defeat was heavy on his shoulders. The dream of a championship felt just out of reach, but a new dream, one full of uncertainty and opportunity, was already taking shape. Leaving that court wasn’t just the end of his journey with Oklahoma City, it also marked the beginning of an offseason that would change his career–and the NBA–forever.
The 2016 Offseason marked a revolutionary turn of events in the NBA. Kevin Durant, coming off a Western Conference Finals loss in seven games, was determined to return to contention the following year. The only question was, on which team? Kevin Durant’s decision was to leave the Thunder and go to the juggernaut Warriors to join Steph Curry, creating a tandem that would remain basically unbeatable for years. But what lead to Kevin Durant’s departure, and how did it affect his Legacy, and the NBA’s, moving forward?
Tensions in Oklahoma City
Questions About the Front Office
Oklahoma City had been knocking on the door of an NBA title for years, with a Finals appearance against the 2012 Heat, and a Kevin Durant MVP year in 2014. But their seasons ended all the same, in defeat. While Oklahoma City was good, there were questions as to if they were good enough. And OKC’s front office hadn’t done itself any favors. The decision to trade James Harden to avoid paying a luxury tax broke trust with their star, Kevin Durant, which truly never fixed themselves.
Internal Conflict Among Stars
Some of this tension had to do with Russell Westbrook. Russ and KD had been an electric duo on the Thunder. However, their play styles didn’t always complement each other. It was clear up until his departure that Kevin Durant was the better player. However, late in games, Russell Westbrook’s high usage, ball dominant play style pushed Kevin Durant into a smaller role late in games. That is something that shouldn’t have happened with a guy like Kevin Durant.
Golden State Warriors’ Appeal
Coming Off A Monster Season
While it’s clear every player probably wanted to be on a juggernaut team such as Golden State, every player probably wanted to play alongside Steph Curry and to be able to contribute to a team coming off a 73-9 season. The Warriors had created the blueprint to how to win, and they already had a championship building around Curry. However, there was an especially sweet appeal for Kevin Durant due to the offensive structure built for winning.
Playing Pure Basketball
The idea of being able to play in a offense that relied less on playing iso ball and more on moving the ball around to get a good shot is a huge reason why Kevin Durant saw the Warriors as a better opportunity than the Thunder. This system would allow for Kevin Durant to mesh perfectly with Steph Curry’s game, a contrast to how Westbrook’s game collided with Durant’s. He would be able to play freely while also being able to rely more on his teammates, something he couldn’t do with Westbrook.
The Decision
Kevin Durant’s decision to leave the Thunder to join the Warriors was not an easy one, but in the end, he chose what he thought was the best path to a championship and basketball happiness. It worked–he won two titles and two Finals MVPs–but it also reshaped his legacy forever.
Winning Championships and Trophies
Kevin Durant’s desire to win a championship was granted, but at what cost? Despite winning two Finals MVPs, Kevin Durant was never really considered the best player on the Warriors: it was Steph Curry’s team, no debate. But there was more that inspired Kevin Durant’s departure from Golden State, and its truth parallels his departure from OKC.
Internal Tensions with Teammates
Draymond Green
While it was clear in everyone’s mind that the Warriors did not need Kevin Durant to continue dominating the NBA, there was no reason for Draymond Green to bring that truth to light. During an altercation with Kevin Durant, Draymond Green reportedly yelled “We don’t need you, we won without you. Leave.” Draymond Green’s comments, harsh but true, most likely led to Kevin Durant leaving Golden State.
The Media and Fan’s Opinion
Kevin Durant’s decision to join an already dominant team rubbed NBA fans the wrong way. As it should have. Oklahoma City Thunder fans hated him, and still do to this day. The general narrative around Kevin Durant was that he couldn’t win without taking a shortcut. A narrative that had proved true as of today. Kevin Durant wanted to fix his tarnished legacy and prove he could win as the obvious best player on a team.
2018-2019 NBA Season
This season was the final straw. Draymond Green’s comments happened in the Regular Season of this year, and in the Playoffs. With Kevin Durant injured in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals, the Golden State Warriors were still able to win the Western Conference Finals, largely without him even playing. The narrative grew, pushing Kevin Durant further out the door. And finally, to complete the season of disaster that ended the Warriors Dynasty, Kevin Durant suffered an achilles injury that sidelined him for the rest of the Finals and for the entire next season.
Everything Since The Bay
Kevin Durant’s career since leaving the Golden State Warriors has done nothing to alleviated the criticism on his legacy, as he has failed to even make the Conference Finals despite having so called “super teams.” But how much of that falls on Kevin Durant’s shoulders?
2020-21 NBA Playoffs
After missing the entire 2019-2020 season with his injury, Kevin Durant led the Brooklyn Nets, along with Kyrie Irving and James Harden, to 48 wins (in only 72 games), and a 2nd seed in the East. The Nets had the number one offense in the league, and Kevin Durant looked primed to lead his team to victory. However, the playoffs were a nightmare. After cruising by the Celtics in 5 games, Brooklyn was set to face off against Giannis and the Bucks.
Major Injuries to Co-Stars
After taking a narrow victory in game one, Kevin Durant and the Nets prepared for game two. They would have to play without, James Harden, who injured his hamstring within the first minute of the game. They dominated regardless, cruising to a 2-0 series lead. However, Games 3 and 4 did not go well. They lost both games, allowing the series to be tied at two games a piece, especially since Kyrie Irving injured his foot in Game 4, sidelined for the rest of the series.
Late Series Troubles
In Game 5, James Harden returned, but clearly wasn’t himself. He was moving slower, playing differently. He wasn’t the James Harden that had brought the Nets to this stage. Despite this, Kevin Durant carried, playing all 48 minutes of Game 5, and producing a 49-17-10 triple double, getting Brooklyn the narrow victory. Then, Milwaukee won Game 6 with their backs against the wall. And what happened in Game 7, still haunts Brooklyn fans to this day.
Game Seven
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Kevin Durant, down by two against the Bucks, caught the ball on the three-point wing. He turned around, and slashed a jumper from beyond the arc; nothing but net. The Nets had won the game off a game winning three-pointer, or so they thought. Kevin Durant’s toe barely grasped the line, meaning the shot wouldn’t win the game, it would tie it. Heartbreak. However, the game was still largely in reach. As an overtime period would ensue, leaving both teams with an opportunity to win it. Now, down two again, Kevin Durant lined up for a similar shot, only this time, it went wide left, airball. The game was over, the Nets had lost. In heartbreaking fashion.
Despite a heart-wrenching series, Kevin Durant had a great series, averaging 35.4 pts and 10.6 rebounds. Despite his teammates’ injuries, he had performed like a winner, playing the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks to a tough seven games. There is little reason to blame Kevin Durant for this years’ failure. The same cannot be said for the other years.
2021-22 NBA Playoffs
The season started off both amazing and terrible. Kevin Durant had the Nets playing at the top of the East, but Kyrie Irving refused to get the COVID vaccine, making him ineligible for home games in Brooklyn. The Nets eventually banned him from playing altogether, bringing him back in January. However, Kevin Durant’s stellar play had kept them afloat in the East. And then it all went wrong.
Kevin Durant’s Injury
Kevin Durant suffered an MCL sprain, leaving him sidelined for over a month. Without their star player, the Nets struggled, losing 11 games in a row. This, paired with Kyrie Irving’s controversy, prompted James Harden to request a trade out of Brooklyn, as his frustration had made him disengaged in winning basketball. The Nets granted his trade request, receiving Ben Simmons in return. While Ben Simmons was seen as a defensive anchor and playmaker that could fill the James Harden void, he never actually played that year, proving the trade to be in Philly’s favor.
The Disastrous Playoffs
Despite both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving returning, they were quickly met with the defensive Celtics, who troubled Kevin Durant the entire series. Kevin Durant had career-low efficiency numbers, and Brooklyn went home in a lowly four games. The Playoffs were over as soon as they had begun, and the Nets were swept, becoming the only team in the Playoffs to not win a single game. That Offseason, Kevin Durant requested a trade out of Brooklyn. He later rescinded his request, but that didn’t last for long.
2022-23 NBA Season
Regular Season Problems
Kevin Durant played at an MVP level with the Nets, averaging 29.7 points and 6.7 rebounds on elite efficiency. However, the Regular Season fell into a deep hole because of Kyrie Irving. Kyrie Irving was suspended by the Nets after promoting an anti-semitic film on Twitter, adding more tension to the already conflicting locker room. Then, on January 8, Kevin Durant suffered another MCL sprain, sidelining him for another month. In February, Kyrie requested a trade, which was quickly granted. Then, with the Nets realizing their championship window was closed, the Nets traded an injured Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns at the deadline.
Lack of Chemistry in Playoffs
Kevin Durant joined the 4th seeded Suns for a Playoff run. Despite some minor injuries, Kevin Durant was able to play in the Playoffs, winning against the Clippers in the first round in five games. However, against the eventual NBA champions, Kevin Durant and the Suns faltered, losing in six games to the Denver Nuggets. Despite this, the tandem of Chris Paul, DeAndre Ayton, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant played nine games together, in which they were 9-0. They seemed to still have a chance if they could keep their team together. They couldn’t.
2023-24 Season
Offseason Trades
The Suns tore apart their tandem, trading Chris Paul to the Wizards in return for Bradley Beal, and trading DeAndre Ayton to the Trail Blazers in the blockbuster Damian Lillard trade, receiving Grayson Allen and Jusuf Nurkic in return. They also gave away rookie Toumani Camara, who has developed into a solid defensive player (something the Suns could really use right now). These trades tore apart their core that they had barely even given a chance. However, Kevin Durant is not without blame. He pushed hard for the Bradley Beal trade, a trade that mortgaged the Suns future.
Loss Of A Season
The Phoenix Suns weren’t a bad team by any means, they went 49-33. However the lack of a defense and a true point guard caught up to them in the Playoffs, and they went home in a swift seven games to Anthony Edwards’ Minnesota Timberwolves. This loss of momentum has put the Suns to where they are now, Kevin Durant is unhappy in Phoenix, and they will most likely trade him in the Offseason of the 2024-25 Season; a season that has been nothing but failure. So much of a failure that it doesn’t even get a header.
Where That Leaves Him
Wherever Kevin Durant goes this season, it should be noted that it will be in his favor, as his expiring contract puts the Suns in a tough spot. No small-market team will pursue Kevin Durant without confirmation that he will resign there long-term. Therefore, they will have less of a fun time moving him to a contender.
Conclusion
Kevin Durant’s decision to leave the Golden State Warriors in 2019 was supposed to be his chance to prove he could win on his own terms. Instead, his post-Warriors career has been defined by elite individual play, organizational instability, and unfulfilled championship aspirations.
Still One of the Greatest Ever
No matter what has happened since 2019, Durant’s skill set remains undeniable. He has continued to play at an MVP level, proving that he wasn’t just a product of Golden State’s system. His ability to score effortlessly from anywhere on the court, combined with underrated defense, keeps him among the league’s elite.
Brooklyn: A Wasted Prime?
Durant’s time with the Nets should have been the foundation of his independent legacy, but instead, it became one of the biggest “What If” stories in NBA history. Injuries, Kyrie’s unpredictability, Harden’s exit, and internal drama prevented the Nets from even reaching the Finals. Though Durant was spectacular when healthy, Brooklyn never became his team in the way many expected.
Complications of His Legacy
Durant’s legacy is complicated. Statistically and skill-wise, he is one of the greatest scorers of all time. But his decision making–leaving Golden State, joining unstable franchises, and constantly chasing the next opportunity–has kept him from being universally embraced as a leader of a dynasty.
He saved his career by winning with the Warriors, but in doing so, he also ruined the chance to be seen as a self-made champion. The paradox of Kevin Durant’s greatness is that he may never be able to fully control the way he’s remembered.
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