Warriors Bracing For Change, Durant 'Knows What He Wants', Wojnarowski Says

The Golden State Warriors are bracing themselves for a “seismic change” this summer with both Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson entering free agency, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. But they are trying to ignore that fact and keep their focus on the ongoing Western Conference semifinals and the possibility of them winning three straight NBA championships.

Durant has played a key role in helping the Warriors win back-to-back titles since he arrived in 2016 and they are now favorites to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy for the third straight year. The Bay Area franchise’s management is hoping to focus on that rather than thinking about the impending free agency of two of their biggest stars.

"Internally in Golden State, there's a sense of let's try to put aside what's coming in July. We have a chance to do something very rare in sports, to three-peat. Let's try to keep our focus there and win the title, then let July play out the way it's going to. But I think the Warriors are bracing for possibly seismic change within that organization,” Wojnarowski said, as quoted on the Bleacher Report.

Durant’s future with the Warriors has been a constant topic of discussion since the season began and it has gathered pace as it entered the latter stages. Every action and comment of the small forward has been analyzed for any indication about his future plans.

The New York Knicks, who have two max contract slots available, have been continually touted as his next destination with Las Vegas bookmakers putting them as the favorites to land the small forward. Wojnarowski believes there is nothing the Warriors can do when it comes to holding discussions as Durant probably already “knows what he wants” and even a max offer would unlikely change his mind if he has decided to leave.

"I don't know if there's a lot of talking that has to happen between the Warriors and Kevin Durant," Wojnarowski said. "I think he knows what it is, what he wants, and there may be nothing the Warriors can do or say to change that."

Thompson, on the other hand, will enter free agency, but has expressed his desire to remain a Warrior in the long-term and Wojnarowski believes it is all about the contract his current employers will offer. The NBA insider is certain that a maximum offer of a five-year deal worth $190 million will see him sign on the dotted line when he becomes eligible on July 1.

"If they come with a five-year, $190 million max deal for Klay Thompson, that's done on July 1—he's going into the new building with Steph Curry," he added. "If they try to do anything less than that, you can expect Klay Thompson to be out in free agency. Watch not for the Lakers, then, but the Clippers."