Warriors’ Share Video Thanking Two-Time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant left the Golden State Warriors and signed a deal with the Brooklyn Nets. It was a big shock for the Golden State and Warriors fans as they were more than positive about Durant’s re-signing with the team. It didn’t happen, and Durant is part of the Nets now. On June 30, 2019, Durant told the team that his decision is official.

During his three seasons with the Warriors, Durant helped the team win two titles and was twice named the NBA Finals MVP.

Warriors owner Joe Lacob confirmed that they will retire Durant’s No. 35.

“As long as I am Co-Chairman of this team, no player will ever wear #35 for the Warriors again,” Lacob said.

The team even released a message and video on Twitter. It was the greatest honor ever.

The Warriors will also have to give up on a first-round pick. Durant made them do so.

“The Brooklyn Nets had enough cap space to sign Kevin Durant outright, and there was no specific advantage for Durant to take part in a sign-and-trade deal to help the Warriors out,” Brian Windhorst reported. “Nor was it that great an advantage to Nets free agent D’Angelo Russell, who had other teams, including the Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves, vying for him, knowing that the Nets would have to make him an unrestricted free agent to complete the Durant signing.

“As a result, there were a series of squeezes put on the Warriors, a position with which they are not at all familiar. First, Durant initially balked at being traded for Russell straight up, multiple sources said. He didn’t think it was a fair deal, and in this case, the Warriors had to not just satisfy the Nets, but also Durant.

“Leverage was applied by the player, and Golden State had to include a first-round pick before Durant would agree to sign off. The Warriors begrudgingly gave it up and did so with a heavy condition: If the pick falls within the top 20 next year, they don’t have to send it, and instead will only give Brooklyn a second-round pick … in six years. It’s one of the most unusual pick protections the NBA has seen recently.”