Stephen Curry Talks Kevin Durant Departure, Praises Warriors' New Signing

The Golden State Warriors failed in their mission to win three straight NBA championships going down in six games to Toronto Raptors in 2019. Their failure was influenced by injuries to two of their key players – Klay Thompson and mainly Kevin Durant – and Stephen Curry could not singlehandedly affect the outcome.

Durant joined the Warriors in 2016 and went on to win two titles with the Bay Area team while also picking up two NBA Finals MVP accolades on the way. He was their best player during his time with the team despite Curry being considered the de-facto leader of the Warriors.

The small forward decided it was time for a new challenge this summer and left the Warriors in free agency to sign with Brooklyn Nets on a four-year $164 million deal. Curry was hoping Durant will remain with the franchise but holds no grudge against his former teammate for choosing to move to the Eastern Conference.

Curry admits that both players grew during their time together and is happy for Durant over his move to Brooklyn. The Warriors point guard also shares Durant’s view that they are likely to be back together in the future celebrating their two title wins in 2017 and 2018.

“We won two championships and I think we both got better throughout the process both as basketball players and as people," Curry said, as quoted on SFGate. "With the demand every single night to be great and everything that comes with... it's a lot to handle and I think me and him especially on that level could connect."

"Obviously at the end of the day with him going to Brooklyn, you're just trying to make sure he's happy and going to a place he feels like he needs to be," he added. "At the end of the day you have to be happy about that for him. That's what every player in this league wants, to be in a situation where they can decide where they want to play. I'll always remember the three years we had, like he said we'll probably be back here down the road celebrating those like they did the 74-75 team, so it'll be cool when that happens."

The Warriors did not end up empty handed after losing Durant to the Nets, as they welcomed D’Angelo Russell as part of a sign-and-trade deal. The young point guard made his first All-Star appearance in 2019 and is highly rated in the NBA.

Curry believes Russell is a terrific acquisition for the recently dethroned champions, and is certain that the guard will help the team in terms of playmaking and as a shooter. He is expected to partner Curry in the Warriors backcourt during the absence of Thompson, who will be sidelined until at least February with an ACL injury.

“He's just amazingly talented and skilled and he's got creativity in terms of ball handling, the way he can see the floor, obviously he can shoot the lights out," Curry said of Russell. "He'll give us a different look in terms of somebody who can have the ball in their hands and create offense, and we're going to need that playmaking ability."