Durant Will Leave Warriors To Find 'His' Team, Former Teammate Perkins Says

Kevin Durant is keeping his thoughts on free agency very close to his chest, with close friend Kendrick Perkins admitting even he did not know the Golden State Warriors' small forward’s plans for the summer. The 30-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent July 1 but the question remains if he will stay in the Bay Area or look for pastures new, with his former teammate predicting the latter.

The Warriors forward recently revealed that no decision had been made regarding free agency, with his focus completely on helping his current employer win its third straight NBA championship. The New York Knicks have been heavily linked with a move for Durant, with many claiming a deal had already been agreed.

Perkins, who was teammates with Durant at Oklahoma City Thunder, revealed that they never speak about basketball when they catch up, but more about personal stuff. But with all the euphoria surrounding his next destination, he admitted he could not resist inquiring about any potential plans.

"I'm real close friends with KD," Perkins said Tuesday on ESPN's "The Jump, as quoted on NBC Sports Bay Area." "We talk on the regular but we never talk about basketball -- we always talk about personal things."

"I asked him the other day for the first time. I'm like, 'Hey KD man, give me a little insight on what's going on. Is you leaving?’” he added. "He's like, 'Hey Perk, you know we don't talk about that type of stuff man.' He kinda got in his feelings about it."

Many are predicting this would be Durant’s last season with the franchise, whether he wins a third straight title or not. One of the reasons is that the Warriors will always be Stephen Curry’s team and Durant would probably want to cement his legacy elsewhere by leading a team of his own.

Perkins thinks the same way, with the 2008 NBA champion claiming his former teammate would leave the Bay Area and look for a new team to make his own. The Knicks are said to be favorite to land the two-time NBA Finals MVP.

"I feel like he's done what he needed to do in Golden State. He won a couple rings and it's always gonna be Steph's team. I think now it's time for KD to move on for it to be Kevin's team."