Kevin Durant, who is regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, has played for three different NBA teams during his career. However, many fans still wonder why he ever left the Golden State Warriors.
Kevin, also known by his nickname KD, began his career in 2007 as a player for the Seattle Supersonics (after known as the Oklahoma Thunder). He subsequently played for the Warriors from 2016 to 2019 before moving on to the Brooklyn Nets, where he stayed until 2023, when he decided to join the Phoenix Suns.
Still, fans frequently discuss his time with the Dubs. Why then did he depart?
Kevin Durant left the Golden State Warriors for what reason?
Since KD’s move to Brooklyn, where he paired up with Kyrie Irving and James Harding, didn’t work out due in part to team turmoil, injuries, and the epidemic, many fans feel that he made a mistake in leaving the Warriors. Additionally, the Phoenix Suns were the first team to be eliminated from the playoffs in April 2024 when KD joined the organization.
In April 2024, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith stated on First Take (via NBC): “The simple fact is that you abandoned Steph Curry in favor of joining Kyrie Irving. You left Brooklyn to travel to Phoenix. One caused the problem by themselves. And it will be as, if not more, true when you go out like this.
Why then would KD depart from the Dubs, a team he won two titles with? Some thought he had overstayed his welcome, particularly in the wake of his altercation with Draymond Green and the reports that KD wanted to sign with the Knicks.
However, KD clarified his exit from the team in a late 2022 Washington Post profile, saying, “It was another pivot.” All I wanted was to play ball someplace else.” He continued, saying:
However, a lot of people think I’m pursuing something. And I believe that’s probably because of what I stated when I said, “I want to stop being number two.” In the high school draft, I ranked second. However, I had to clarify to everyone that I had recently lost in the championship game.
