OAKLAND: Kevin Durant wanted to look NBA Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry in the eye, meet Klay Thompson face to face, and find out for himself whether they truly wanted him as a teammate.
The All-Star shooting tandem made it clear during a meeting last weekend that he would be a perfect fit with the Warriors.
“When I met these guys, I felt as comfortable as I’ve ever felt. It was organic, it was authentic, it was real,” Durant said. “It was feelings I couldn’t ignore.”
Splash! Golden State had a superstar cast.
The Warriors formally announced the signing of the seven-time All-Star and four-time scoring champion on Thursday and introduced him with fanfare during a news conference at the team’s downtown Oakland practice facility, where screens read, “WELCOME KD TO DUB NATION.”
So, what’s next? Seventy-four wins and a title? Golden State’s record-setting season with the best wins total ever of 73 ended without back-to-back championships.
“I haven’t made the decision yet, but he might start,” NBA Coach of the Year Steve Kerr joked, sitting next to a smiling Durant. “We lost in the Finals. We want to get better. We want to be better. You can’t do any better than adding KD to the current crew.”
Kerr won’t change his team’s style with the addition of Durant, whom the coach will count on as a “brilliant passer” and someone who can cut and do it all.
“We’ve got as many or more playmakers on the floor as anybody,” said Kerr, already planning his training camp strategy on the court and how to prepare his players for even further scrutiny.
Durant might be able to match his coach’s wit, too.
When asked about Thompson being part of the pitch meeting, Durant quipped about receiving a text message from him: “I didn’t know he had a phone.”
Of Warriors assistant coach Ron Adams, a former member of the Thunder staff, he said, “Ron Adams was the only reason I came.” They shared a big hug before Thursday’s festivities.
The Warriors — who rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Thunder in a thrilling seven-game Western Conference Finals before losing the finals in seven games to Cleveland — signed Durant to a two-year contract worth more than $54 million. There is a player option after the first year.
Not that Durant plans to skip town after one season. He’s here to win a championship.
“You never expect to get this much better,” general manager Bob Myers said. “I’ve admired Kevin as a basketball fan. ... I’m just excited to watch you play. I’m honored you’re here, I’m honored you chose us. It’s a wonderful feeling.”
Durant even spoke to Hall of Famer Jerry West along the way to help him weigh his choice.
“I know it’s Jerry West and I know he’s the ‘Logo,’ and you’re expecting a sexier conversation, but it was more so about the team and how I could fit in and how great the coaching staff was,” Durant said.
Still, Durant went to bed Sunday “torn” and still uncertain about his choice, and he told his father and representatives he needed a night to sleep on it. Then he woke up first thing Monday with more clarity.
He knew it would have been “easy to go back to something you’re comfortable with.” This, he said, is the harder route — “It was time for me to try something new, try a new challenge. No better place to do it than here.”
Former teammate Russell Westbrook took it hard.
“That call to Oklahoma City was the hardest thing I’ve had to do in my life. Tears were shed. I trusted my gut,” Durant said. “We live in this superhero comic book world where either you’re a villain or you’re a superhero if you’re in this position, and I know that, and I know I haven’t changed as a person.
“I don’t treat people any differently because I made the decision to play basketball in another city. I understand the fans in Oklahoma City and basketball fans around the world are, I guess, upset. But like I said, I made the decision based upon what I wanted to do and how I felt, and it’s the best decision for me, so I can’t really control how you feel.”
Ultimately for Durant, having fun for however many years he has left playing basketball is the plan.
“I just want to enjoy every single day of it.”
The Phoenix Suns say they have signed all three of their draft picks and the trio will participate in the Las Vegas Summer League.
The three are No. 4 overall pick Dragan Bender of Croatia, No. 8 overall pick Marquese Chriss of Washington and second-round pick Tyler Ulis of Kentucky, the 34th choice overall.
The 7-foot-1 Bender and 6-10 Chriss are just 18 years old. Both will be groomed to play the “stretch-forward” role, a power forward who can shoot from the perimeter.
The 5-10 Ulis has a shot at being the Suns’ third point guard behind Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight.
Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to a two-year contract with free agent center Festus Ezeli worth $15 million.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday night because the deal hadn’t been announced by the team. It was first reported by Yahoo Sports.
His agent, David Mondress, did not immediately respond to messages left by the AP seeking comment.
Ezeli, a 6-foot-11 native of Nigeria, was drafted with the 30th pick in the 2012 draft by the Golden State Warriors. Last season he averaged 7.0 points and 5.6 rebounds in 64 games, including 13 starts.
Ezeli missed 31 games this season after having arthroscopic surgery in February to remove debris from his left knee.
The Blazers announced earlier Thursday they had acquired guard Shabazz Napier in a trade with the Orlando Magic for cash considerations.
The Los Angeles Lakers have formally announced their signings of veteran Luol Deng and second-round pick Ivica Zubac, along with the re-signing of guard Jordan Clarkson.
The Lakers on Thursday also confirmed their acquisition of guard Jose Calderon and two second-round picks from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for the rights to forward Ater Majok.
Deng agreed to a four-year, $72 million to join the rebuilding Lakers. The 12-year NBA veteran spent the past two seasons in Miami.
Clarkson got a four-year, $50 million deal to return to Los Angeles. The smooth combo guard has been a rare bright spot in the two worst seasons in franchise history.
The Lakers didn’t confirm the re-signing of guard Marcelo Huertas, who announced on Instagram he had agreed to a two-year deal.
7 p.m.
The Milwaukee Bucks have acquired guard Matthew Dellavedova in a sign-and-trade with Cleveland.
Dellavedova has career averages of 5.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 215 games over three seasons with Cleveland. He is coming off a season with career-bests of 7.5 points, 4.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds while helping the Cavaliers win the NBA championship.
As part of the deal announced Thursday, the Bucks will send the rights to Albert Miralles to the Cavaliers. Miralles, who currently plays in the Spanish League, had his draft rights sent to Milwaukee in a December 2011 deal that sent Keyon Dooling to Boston.