Kevin Durant recognizes that speculation about free agency and player movement is appealing to NBA fans, but as the Warriors gear up for another postseason run, the star forward tells Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated that he’d prefer those fans shift their focus to the games happening now.
“Just watch the game. Just focus on the game and stop nitpicking, because it is a beautiful game going on out there,” Durant said. “What can I do right now? I can’t sign a paper. I got to do the most important thing, and that is play. And that is what we should be focusing on.
“I know it’s the sexy part of the NBA: free agency, trades, transactions. But it’s a beautiful game that we’re out here playing. I feel like I play a different and unique way that may inspire some people.”
According to Durant, he has yet to make a decision on where he’ll be playing next season, and won’t do so until he reaches free agency on July 1. All season long, reports have popped up suggesting that people around the league believe the two-time Finals MVP will end up leaving Golden State to sign with the Knicks, but Durant insists that he won’t make that decision until after the season.
“If I already made a decision, it would take away from the team, what we’re fighting for. Every play would be overshadowed by it,” Durant said, per Spears. “It is not necessary for me to make a decision right now. It would be bad to do that. It would take the focus off of what is important. I would never want to put my teammates in a messed-up position. I want to forget about it.”
While Durant has a player option available for the 2019/20 season, he’s expected to turn that down to sign a new contract in unrestricted free agency. He’ll be eligible to sign for up to five years and a projected $221MM with the Warriors, or four years and $164MM with another team.
Knicks seem like the obvious choice but the honest truth is no one knows wtf KD thinks
He’ll probably join whoever beats them in the postseason like he did in OKC. So, go Rockets!!
He’s already signed with the Knicks
He must have signed with someone or something in NYC for all of this Knick speculation to be so confident.
Lawsuits coming if he somehow signed with the Knicks already!
His manager lives in New York. That’s what it is.
Another week, another whiny rant from Kevin Durant about what other people should not be doing.
I can’t remember another elite player (top 5 or so in the league) ever being this soft
I’d honestly would hate to be asked all these questions when they don’t matter.
Yes he might leave but focus on the 2020 season when it start not during the playoffs.
Exactly!
No way he goes to the Knicks. He doesn’t like the media.
I think he might stay but I wouldn’t shocked if he left. Knicks might be an option but I wouldn’t count out the Heat with Riley going hard after him and the Clippers with West being there. I have thought for a while now that he would go to the Clippers with and so would Kahwi but really not sure at this point, I do think that’s the most realistic place he goes if he leaves, don’t think he would go to the Knicks because I don’t think he could handle the media there but who knows, maybe he will. I’d actually love to see him go to NY though, not a fan but would be cool to see that team get some good players and finally turn things around.
Kyrie, KD, and Zion in NY next year
kyrie, durant, brow = celtic dynasty
KD isn’t gonna tell aNYone where he’s headed, but I think we all know where he’ll land…
“If I already made a decision, it would take away from the team, ..” Not if the decision was to stay with the team.
221M, few more championships or golf from April on each year as a Knick.