Kevin Durant Reflects on Miscommunication with Stephen Curry Over 2016 Decision
Kevin Durant’s move to the Golden State Warriors in 2016 remains one of the most contentious moments in NBA history. Joining a team that had just set an NBA record with 73 wins, Durant opted to align himself with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green—three players who were not only All-Stars but also future Hall of Famers. This decision reverberated throughout the league, drawing both admiration and ire from fans and analysts alike.
A Surprising Turn in Free Agency
The landscape of the NBA changed dramatically when Durant signed with the Warriors. His choice to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder was not just a simple move; it was viewed as a pivotal moment in the league. While LeBron James’s transition to the Miami Heat in 2010 was monumental, Durant’s free agency decision was unique. He was joining a team that had just come off a historic season, not via trade but through the free agency process—a move that many, including ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, deemed the “weakest” of all time.
However, amid the backlash and scrutiny, Durant faced personal concerns regarding his relationship with his new teammates. He believed that Curry was upset about his decision, particularly when Curry didn’t return his phone call after the announcement.
A Misunderstanding Explained
In Curry’s upcoming book, *Shot Ready*, he clarifies the miscommunication that led to Durant’s concerns. “I thought you were pissed off when you didn’t call me back,” Durant recounted, expressing his worries about how his decision was perceived.
Curry, however, attributed the lack of communication to a simple misunderstanding. At the time of Durant’s announcement, he was enjoying a family vacation in Hawaii, blissfully unaware of the unfolding drama back on the mainland. “K tried to call me before he told the world,” Curry explained. “But with the time difference, I was still asleep when he made the announcement. Half the day—and half the news cycle—had passed before I even knew what was going on.”
Curry later reached out to apologize to Durant, expressing his regret over the situation. “Sorry man. That was something else. I didn’t know what was going on,” he said.
A Shared Vision of Winning
In their discussions leading up to Durant’s decision, Curry emphasized the team’s singular goal: winning championships. “We want to win. Think you could help?” he asked Durant, highlighting the team’s ambition to add a player of Durant’s caliber. This decision proved to be fruitful, as the Warriors reached three consecutive NBA Finals during Durant’s tenure, defeating the Houston Rockets in two of those series and overcoming LeBron James in back-to-back Finals.
Durant’s partnership with the Warriors culminated in two championships and two Finals MVP awards, solidifying his legacy in the league. As the Houston Rockets look to their own future with Durant now on their roster, the echoes of that pivotal 2016 decision continue to shape the narratives within the NBA today.
