Kevin Durant On Warriors Future, And Why Lakers Getting More Attention

The Golden State Warriors held their media day Monday at their practice center in Oakland, but most of the attention was on the Staples Center in Los Angeles where the Lakers were also holding the same with LeBron James in tow.

And two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant admitted the Lakers were the "sexier story" right now after James’ move this summer despite the Warriors preparing to go into the new season with a view of winning their third straight title.

Durant revealed it was less intense compared to the last couple of years and believes it is because there is nothing new in the team except DeMarcus Cousins, who will not start the season as he is currently still recovering from an Achilles injury.

“Definitely seems less intense, for sure,” Kevin Durant said, as per the San Francisco Chronicle. “Everybody looks for something new, and this is our third year in a row now. You guys kind of know who we are, and with DeMarcus Cousins not playing for us early on, it’s taken away a little bit of the team’s allure. Having that whole new team in L.A., with LeBron, the biggest name in basketball, that’s obviously going to be a sexier story.”

Durant also waxed lyrical about the special nature of their upcoming regular season games against the Lakers this season owing to the presence of James. The Warriors and the Lakers will play each other twice in their upcoming pre-season matches and then three times during the NBA regular season with the first one coming on Dec. 25.

“All those people in the crowd, stars on the sidelines, knowing LeBron James calls that place home,” Durant added. “It should be pretty sweet when we walk in there.”

Durant, praising the Lakers and talking about James, eventually turned the questions toward his future with many reports in recent days linking with a move to the Staples Center next summer. The small forward is certain to enter free agency yet again after signing a short-term deal earlier in the off-season.

Durant admitted he could have signed a new long-term deal but wants to take it “season by season” and see where it takes him. The Warriors star, however, made it clear his entire focus is on the upcoming season, which sees them as the favorite yet again to win their third straight title.

“It was just one of those things where you’re just confident in your skills, and you just want to take it year by year. I think to keep my options open was the best thing for me. I could have easily signed a long-term deal, but I just wanted to take it season by season and see where it takes me,” Durant explained. “I think this whole year is going to be a fun, exciting year for us all, and I’m looking forward to just focusing on that.”

Stephen Curry was also asked about the uncertainty surrounding Durant’s future, and he also dismissed speculation and made it clear their focus was entirely on the new season. He said such questions will only be entertained once they complete the 2018-19 season with another title.

“It doesn’t matter right now. We have five preseason games, then another 82, and hopefully 16 wins in the playoffs. When it’s all over, you can ask all the questions you want. The best teams, and the best individuals, tend to shut that out when it comes to playing basketball,” Curry said.