Nash Reveals Reasons For Kevin Durant Possibly Leaving, Warriors Owner Not Concerned

Kevin Durant’s future continues to be the most discussed topic this NBA offseason with the "will he leave the Golden State Warriors or will he not?" question being asked of every former NBA player and expert.

The Warriors small forward re-signed with his current employers after entering free agency earlier this summer, but it was again a short-term deal that allows him to become an unrestricted free agent in 2019. The consensus is that Durant will leave the reigning back-to-back champions even if he wins a third straight NBA championship ring. It is claimed that he is keen to win a title with another franchise to cement his legacy as one of the greatest in the game.

The Los Angeles Lakers are being touted as a potential destination with talks about a union with good friend LeBron James doing the rounds. The second most successful franchise in NBA history are one of the few teams that will have the cap space to sign Durant next summer.

The New York Knicks are also in the running with the team said to have made the Warriors forward one of their top targets. They are in the process of ensuring they have the cap space next season to sign a player with 10+ years of experience.

Former NBA star Steve Nash, however, believes a number of factors have to fall into place for Durant to consider leaving the Warriors next summer. The Phoenix Suns legend is favoring toward the 2-time NBA Finals MVP remaining in Oakland.

“He is pretty happy at Golden state, so I think it all depends on how the season goes, how healthy he is, how productive he is, how he feels,” Nash said, as quoted by the Express.

“Those are decisions that I think are impossible to speculate on. I would imagine anything is possible,” he added. “I know Kevin very well, for him a lot comes down to how is his life, how is his every day, not just basketball.”

"If he is happy and content with the environment of Golden State and living in the area. [There will be a] brand new stadium for Golden State in San Francisco so I think it would be strange at this point for me to predict he would leave,” he said.

Warriors owner Joe Lacob, meanwhile, does not seem too concerned about Durant entering free agency yet again in 2019. He believes the small forward has earned the right to decide his future after playing a key role in helping them to back-to-back titles since arriving from the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016.

“He loves being a part of our organization and being a part of the Bay Area,” Lacob said of Durant, as quoted on Clutch Points. “He’s earned the right to be a free agent or do whatever he wants in terms of contract status. I would let it play out and see what happens. I’m not too worried about it.”