Kevin Durant, who will be joining the Brooklyn Nets, left the Golden State Warriors because he felt under-appreciated by its fans, according to a Sunday report.
Kendrick Perkins – Durant’s former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate – and another source close to Durant, told The Undefeated’s Marc J. Spears that Durant felt overshadowed by Warriors’ point guard Stephen Curry.
Durant’s feeling is understandable, given that Curry, who was picked in 2009, is largely the face of the franchise, writes Spears.
“There was always the sense that the 10-time All-Star felt like a distant second fiddle to Stephen Curry,” Spears said.
BRITT MCHENRY: KEVIN DURANT’S MISSED OPPORTUNITY WITH THE KNICKS
He added that two events further alienated Durant from the Warriors: fans chanting “M-V-P” for Curry at home games, and general manager Bob Meyers joking during the Warrior’s 2018 championship parade that Durant could have whatever contract he wanted in free agency – the same thing he had apparently told Curry the year prior.
Durant will sign a deal with the Brooklyn Nets when his free agency status ends on July 6th. ESPN reported that the contract will be worth $164 million.