Durant announces to sign with Warriors
Updated: 2016-07-05 10:23
(Xinhua)
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File photo shows Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) grabs the ball in front of Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the first quarter in game four of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA, on May 24, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] |
WASHINGTON - Oklahoma City Thunder free agent Kevin Durant announced Monday on The Players Tribune that he will join the Golden State Warriors.
It is reported that Durant is expected to sign a two-year, $54.3 million contract, with a player option in the second year.
"This has been by far the most challenging few weeks in my professional life. I understood cognitively that I was facing a crossroads in my evolution as a player and as a man, and that it came with exceptionally difficult choices. What I didn't truly understand, however, was the range of emotions I would feel during this process," Durant wrote.
"Kevin made an indelible mark on the Thunder organization and the state of Oklahoma as a founding father of the franchise," Thunder executive vice-president and general manager Sam Presti said in a statement. "We can't adequately articulate what he meant to the foundation of this franchise and our success. While clearly disappointing that he has chosen to move on, the core values he helped us establish only lead us to thanking him for the many tangible and intangible ways that he helped our program."
"The primary mandate I had for myself in making this decision was to have it based on the potential for my growth as a player - as that has always steered me in the right direction," Durant wrote.
"But I am also at a point in my life where it is of equal importance to find an opportunity that encourages my evolution as a man: moving out of my comfort zone to a new city and community which offers the greatest potential for my contribution and personal growth. With this in mind, I have decided that I am going to join the Golden State Warriors."
Durant, 27, has spent all nine seasons of his career with the Thunder. He averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists last season. In nine seasons, Durant has averaged 27.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
Durant won the MVP in 2014 and he has been named first-team All-NBA five times and has made seven All-Star teams. He led the Thunder to the NBA Finals in 2012, losing in five games to the Heat.
