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Former MVP and four-time scoring champion Kevin Durant is joining forces with Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors. Durant, 27, announced Monday via The Players Tribune that he selected the Warriors over the Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics. Durant spent his entire nine-year career with the Thunder.
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Durant is expected to sign a reported two-year, $54.3 million contract, and the deal would include a player option after the first year. Both Curry and Durant can become free agents next July.
The contract can be finalized on July 7 when a league-wide moratorium is lifted on signings and trades.
"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 on The Players Tribune. "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 also met with representatives of the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers.
Durant and All-Star teammate Russell Westbrook led the Thunder to six playoff appearances in the past seven seasons.
The Thunder lost in the Western Conference finals to the Warriors, blowing a 3-1 advantage in the best-of-seven series.
Durant met Friday with coach Steve Kerr, Curry, shooting guard Klay Thompson, center Draymond Green and then later spoke to former NBA great Jerry West via phone about the change of scenery.
Durant has career averages of 27.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
With Durant's decision, the Warriors are unlikely to match the four-year, $95 million offer sheet that Harrison Barnes agreed to with the Dallas Mavericks over the weekend.
