Kevin Durant stunned the NBA in July 2016 when he left the Oklahoma City Thunder. The initial shock turned to anger for much of the league when Durant announced he was signing with the Golden State Warriors, an emerging dynasty he had been unable to lead his team past.
While Durant won two championships with the Warriors, he eventually departed the organization in 2019. The future Hall-of-Famer recently sat down and reflected on his league-altering move to the Warriors.
Kevin Durant Discusses Leaving The Thunder To Join The Warriors
Durant appeared on current Rockets teammate Fred VanVleet’s “Unguarded” podcast to discuss why he felt moving to the Warriors was the best decision for his career. Durant said, “In OKC, we had a lot of specialists. We had dudes that played defense, but really couldn’t score on their own, really couldn’t shoot the ball. We had a guy that probably can shoot, but can’t really guard that well, so it’s a lot that goes into trying to make that offense work.
Durant added, “I’m looking at Golden State, they calling me, and I’m like, ‘S**t, they averaging like 120 a game. I don’t have to worry about a zone every time I catch the ball, top locking me, double teaming me once the game start.'”
Kevin Durant on why he left OKC and joined Golden State 👀
“In OKC, we had a lot of specialists. Dudes that played defense but couldn’t score on their own. Couldn’t shoot the ball, somebody who could shoot but then couldn’t guard that well”
“Golden state calling me I’m like… https://t.co/30Qoa1TlS5 pic.twitter.com/qXjDEFebZt
— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) December 17, 2025
Durant’s comments on VanVleet’s podcast will likely reignite discussion about his dissatisfaction with nine-time All-Star point guard and former league MVP Russell Westbrook. Longtime Thunder wing Andre Roberson also stands out as a potential specialist Durant was referencing. Throughout the 2016 Western Conference Finals and much of his career, opposing defenses routinely left Roberson open because he was a non-factor from 3-point range. Roberson finished his NBA career shooting just 25.3% from 3.
While Durant was drawn to the Warriors’ free-flowing style of basketball, that approach also caused tension after he arrived in the Bay Area. Durant clashed with Warriors head coach Steve Kerr at times, famously stating that the Warriors passed too much and expressing frustration over not being able to isolate outside the system.
Durant’s tenure with the Warriors remains a memorable chapter in NBA history.
