NBA fans had plenty of criticism for the Warriors retiring Kevin Durant’s number

When Kevin Durant elected to leave the Golden State Warriors for the Brooklyn Nets, it opened up more speculation about what went down behind the scenes in the build-up to Durant’s Achilles injury.

Would we hear more details now that he’s away from Golden State? Would he take the high road, recover and just move on?

The Warriors’ latest gesture, though, doesn’t exactly help the optics of the situation.

In a statement released on Monday from Warriors owner and CEO Joe Lacob, he announced that no player would wear the No. 35 as long as he was chairman of the Warriors. He effectively retired Durant’s number — but not officially? — despite Durant only playing three seasons for the team.

Statement from Warriors Co-Chairman & CEO Joe Lacob on Kevin Durant: pic.twitter.com/D2TPPZPuz1

— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) July 1, 2019

It was an odd decision given that Durant had only played 256 games with the Warriors. And plenty of NBA fans saw this gesture as an effort to make up for failing Durant this postseason.

Probably would have been a better gesture from the Warriors to handle his long-term health with care than to retire his number but I'm not a doctor

— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) July 1, 2019

Retiring Kevin Durant's No. 35 for three years of service is crazy. #Warriors https://t.co/tOmB4igQet

— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) July 1, 2019

Please don't hate us for popping your Achilles, my dude! https://t.co/9thhQyQlVM

— Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat) July 1, 2019

https://t.co/qIsS1vTsBt pic.twitter.com/Mcnf8RgBJD

— Paid man gets bored (@cjzero) July 1, 2019

I see they cut out the "we did it so he wouldn't sue us for negligence" part of the statement from the final draft https://t.co/xzxXB1Act0

— Empty Seats Galore (@EmptySeatsPics) July 1, 2019

Is this one of those, "We're sorry we most likely ruined your career, we'll retire your number as a thank you." #WeGood? #NBA #Warriors https://t.co/AS3EgzCIN0

— Laker Mike 🏀 (@LakerMike248) July 1, 2019

😂Warriors feeling guilty huh https://t.co/SlmJftRKvJ

— ❄Rashad❄ (@YeahImRashad) July 1, 2019

Has any player ever had his number retired while still playing? Feels like the Warriors are trying to save face #Durant https://t.co/QFlNOHDn7q

— Michael Fort (@michaelf212) July 1, 2019

This screams "Please don't sue us." https://t.co/PVm11Gah9d

— Cory Charnley (@CoryCharnley) July 1, 2019

Durant won't be happy unless the fans give him a louder cheer during his jersey retirement ceremony than they do during Curry's jersey retirement ceremony. https://t.co/eS2uQKP65s

— Pro Hoops History (@ProHoopsHistory) July 1, 2019