Kevin Durant Should Leave Warriors, Jalen Rose Explains Why

Kevin Durant will enter free agency this summer when he opts out of his contract with the Golden State Warriors, but until he reveals his decision about whether he will stay with the reigning champions or leave, the debate will continue to rage on amongst the NBA experts and fans. Former Indiana Pacers small forward Jalen Rose believes Durant will leave.

The 30-year-old has achieved resounding success since his arrival in the Bay Area, winning back-to-back NBA championships. And despite criticism about him joining a winning team, he has more than held his own by capturing back-to-back NBA Finals MVP titles.

The Warriors are favored to win their third straight title in 2019, but despite the chance of being part of a dynasty that dominates the NBA for the coming years, many believe he would leave to seek pastures new in the summer.

The Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers and the New York Knicks have been touted as potential destinations for Durant. But many believe that if he wants to win and add more titles than LeBron James, who has three NBA rings, he should remain with the Warriors.

The Warriors can also offer him the most lucrative contract compared to other suitors and Durant has admitted money will be one of his main focuses while entering free agency. But Rose, who has been around the block in the NBA, explained why Durant should leave the Warriors and look to win a title with another franchise.

"I believe he's going to leave," Rose said recently on ESPN’s “Jalen and Jacoby.” "And as I watched the team a little bit further over this last month, I started to take it a step further and consider myself saying, 'These are the reasons he should leave.'”

“How about being the kind of guy that puts up the numbers that he puts up and you're never going to be considered for the MVP? How about a guy that left the Oklahoma City Thunder to come to the Golden State Warriors, won Finals MVP back-to-back years, and that does not make him happy? How about when we talking about who the best players in the game are? He doesn't even get mentioned,” he added.

"We've diminished his greatness for him leaving OKC for the Warriors without realizing it. And now that he's living it, it's almost like, 'Wait a minute, they not treating me like I'm No. 1.' I'm seeing him sparring a little bit with Steve Kerr and the media.

“I'm seeing him going back and forth with Draymond in the huddle. I'm seeing the team play better when he's not in the lineup but Steph is. The team really struggles when he's in the lineup and Steph isn't. In particular, against the Dallas Mavs,” Rose explained.

Durant is considered among the best players in the league at the moment, especially since James has not been at his absolute best this season. The small forward is an integral part of the Warriors set-up and they will be desperate to hold on to him.

He would have made them a little more eager with his performance on Wednesday night when he shot 12-of-13 from the floor to lead the Warriors to victory over Memphis Grizzlies. Kerr began the charm offensive by praising the player, as quoted by the Express: “The game is easy for Kevin, it just is.”

“I don't think there's ever been anybody as skilled at his size in the history of the league so he just does whatever he wants. I felt like he could've gone 24-of-25 [tonight] if he wanted.”