NBA: Steph Curry Visited New York To Check Durant Status

Stephen Curry has been in the league long enough to know how things work. That includes NBA free agency moves where plenty of big names moved to new ballclubs.

On the part of the Warriors, it was Kevin Durant’s decision to join the Brooklyn Nets starting next NBA season. And while some feel that the 31-year-old guard could have done something about it, Curry was already fully aware that the decision had already been made.

“There was no need to pitch. He knows what we’re about and what we accomplished. He just had to make a decision that makes him happy. That’s what everybody wants to do in this league. It was more about a respect factor, not letting the BS of this league get in the way of our relationship, and not let it change who I am or anything like that. I feel like he just knew what he wanted. And at the end of the day, that’s all you can ask for as a player,” said Curry in an interview with Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic.

Playing together for almost three years, it comes to no surprise that Curry and Durant were able to establish a bond. Things could have been different had there been preliminary talks but the three-time NBA champion is fully aware that Durant is the type who could not be recruited. Hence, the visit was more about friendship than business.

This is only part of the drama that befell the Warriors this NBA offseason. Aside from Durant, other players who were let go include DeMarcus Cousins Shaun Livingston and Andre Iguodala. The Dubs will open the 2019-20 NBA season without Klay Thompson who is out with an ACL injury. The earliest time for him to return could be February 2020, depending on how well he responds to therapy.

While Klay is away, Curry will have to step up his game together with Draymond Green. The only notable addition so far is D’Angelo Russell, someone likely to fill up the void left by Thompson. Seeing how the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers have gotten stronger, Curry and company will need to adjust to the fact that they may no longer be the favorites in the Western Conference this coming NBA season, as discussed in a previous article.