Durant Exit, Warriors Animosity Related To Short-Term Contract, Stephen A Smith Explains

Kevin Durant’s future with the Golden State Warriors has been a constant topic of discussion this season, but it has come further under the microscope after his recent spat with teammate Draymond Green.

The argument initially between the two players was regarding the play that led to the Warriors’ game against the Los Angeles Clippers ending in a tie and going into overtime. It was then said to have escalated after Green questioned his desire to be part of the team in the face of his upcoming free agency in 2019.

The back-to-back NBA champions went on to lose the game against the Clippers and Green was handed a one-game suspension without pay. Durant has since revealed that the spat will not affect his free agency status in 2019, but many believe this will be his last season with the Bay Area team.

ESPN’s Stephen A Smith believes the two will put aside their differences for the sake of the Warriors as they are all keen to win a third straight title. Steve Kerr’s side is favored to do so and despite the falling out, they are likely to add to their three championship rings in the last four years.

However, Smith is of the opinion that Durant will leave the Warriors dynasty when he declines the player option on his contract in the summer of 2019.

“I don’t think it will be a problem for the Warriors this season. I think it’s the last that we’ve seen of these two [Durant and Green] together for this season,” Smith said, as quoted by the Express. “You’re going to go for it, try to win a third consecutive championship and get the ‘three-peat’ because that’s important to them and that is definitely the case."

“I think once the season is over, Kevin Durant is going to be gone. I don’t know that for sure. I haven’t spoken to him obviously,” he explained. “But I’m telling you — I don’t believe that he’s going to be there after this season. And I think that everybody knew that coming into this season which is what instigated the proceedings between Draymond and Durant.”

Durant was an unrestricted free agent this summer, but as promised, he re-signed with the Warriors. However, the team were hoping he will commit to a long-term deal. The two-time NBA Finals MVP went ahead and again signed a 1+1 deal that gave him more control over his future in 2019. And Smith believes the animosity within team stemmed from him signing a short-term deal.

The NBA insider believes this is the “beginning of the end” for the Warriors dynasty, but has still backed them to add a third title before their core team is broken up. Durant has been linked with moves to the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks.

“That kind of thing, I think was a little bit excessive. But nevertheless, I think it speaks to the level of frustration that exists within the franchise to some degree because they walked into this season thinking they were a band of brothers, they were together and they were going to be together for a long time,” Smith added. “When Kevin Durant didn’t re-up for the long term, I think it left indications because you heard about the Lakers and the New York Knicks, I think that rubbed some people up the wrong way. This is the beginning of the end for the Warriors but they’re so great that they’re going to handle their business and close on a chip.”