LeBron James’ decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers had ripple effects across the league. Philadelphia arguably now has the best starting five in the NBA with Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, and James.
Kevin Durant is now arguing that the 76ers are better on paper than his past Golden State Warriors teams. However, Durant’s explanation bordered on disrespectful, and Klay Thompson took notice.
Klay Thompson Shares Thoughts on Kevin Durant’s Disrespectful Post
Durant and Thompson played together in Golden State from 2016 to 2019. They won back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Thompson, and Durant formed one of the best “Big Fours” in league history. However, the Houston Rockets superstar thinks this year’s Sixers squad trumps his past Warriors units.
Durant compared the two rosters on Instagram, but he had a little extra something to say about Thompson.
“[It] ain’t close lmao. Joel, MVP recently. Jaylen Brown, recent Finals MVP, Tyrese Maxey, All-Star the last 3 years. We all know what [James] does. Klay Thompson, never a MVP candidate in [nothing], 22ppg. Draymond, 14ppg, 7 rebounds, 6 assist, Steph a MVP just like Joel was. I don’t get how the Warriors team is better on paper,” posted Durant.
Thompson reacted on his Instagram story, questioning his former teammate’s unexpected animosity.
“Aye man u good?” asked the five-time All-Star. He tagged Durant before saying, “What u using my full government for??”
Klay Thompson didn’t appreciate KD’s comment on Instagram 👀
“Aye man, u good?” pic.twitter.com/K0Zu33lIba
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 4, 2026
Thompson’s response seems somewhat playful, but it’s interesting that he chose to respond publicly.
Durant joined Curry, Thompson, and Green on the Warriors as a free agent in 2016 after they had just won 73 games and lost in the NBA Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers (after winning the title the previous year). This decision certainly came with a lot of scrutiny, but the 16-time All-Star accomplished his goal, hoisting the championship trophy twice in Golden State and winning Finals MVP both years.
Thompson may not have an MVP trophy to his name, but he finished 10th in voting for the prestigious award in 2014-15. The Dallas Mavericks guard is one of the best shooters in NBA history, shooting 40.9% from beyond the arc on 7.6 attempts for his career and putting fear in opposing teams each time the ball leaves his fingertips. He has averaged 18.6 points per game throughout his career.
His shooting was one of the key ingredients in the Warriors’ offense, which relied on proper spacing, constant off-ball movement, and 3-point volume. Thompson, Curry, and Durant could all shoot on the move, which put defenses in a tough spot. If a team focused too much on one or two shooters, the other one took advantage.
It will be interesting to see how Durant’s stance on the 76ers ages after 82 games this upcoming season.
