Plenty of factors played a role in Kevin Durant’s decision to leave the Warriors, including an altercation with Draymond Green.
During the 2018-19 season, the Golden State Warriors lost an overtime thriller to the Los Angeles Clippers. However, the loss wasn’t the biggest headline from the night. A heated argument between Kevin Durant and Draymond Green fueled speculation that Durant was going to walk in free agency after the season.
Of course, Durant left Golden State for the Brooklyn Nets and now the superstar forward is shedding new light on that decision. Appearing on ESPN’s “First Take,” Durant said the altercation with Green played a factor in his decision to leave in free agency.
"Definitely. For sure. I'm not gonna lie about it."
–Kevin Durant on if his heated exchange with Draymond Green was a factor in his decision to leave the Warriors
(via @firsttake) pic.twitter.com/luuS6Fd22C
— ESPN (@espn) October 31, 2019
“A little bit. Yeah, for sure,” Durant said. “Yeah, I mean your teammate talks to you that way and you think about it a bit. We talked about it, but definitely. For sure. I’m not gonna lie about it.”
That being said, Durant was sure to clarify that the incident with Green was not the main reason why he left the Warriors. Golden State had an incredible run with Durant, but due to contract issues and advancing age, there was a need for a change.
“I just felt like I needed a switch,” Durant said on why he ultimately decided to leave Golden State. “I felt like a lot of stuff in Golden State had reared its head and I felt like it was just going to be the end no matter what. Especially for that group. Shaun Livingston was retiring, Andre Iguodala was getting older. Our contracts were going to stifle the team and put us in a hole to get other players so it was time for all of us to kind of separate.”
The two-time Finals MVP doesn’t seem to hold any ill will towards his former team and that includes Green. At a certain point, players realize it’s time to move on and seek a new opportunity.
