The swirl of rumors that Kevin Durant plans to leave the Golden State Warriors in free agency won’t subside any time soon given the pile-on by talking heads like ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.
Scott Polacek at Bleacher Report reported on comments Smith made on last week’s episode of First Take:
I think the scuttlebutt about him departing from Golden State is legit because I definitely think he plans on leaving. But I want to emphasize two things: The Golden State Warriors as an organization do not plan on losing him, No. 1. And No. 2, Kevin Durant is the kind of dude that changes his mind.
Smith cites no new evidence to validate his beliefs, but references a report by Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, who reported that people within the Warriors organization are concerned that Durant has one foot out the door.
Haynes attributes this belief — nay, fear — to Durant being “combative at times this season with teammates and members of the media.”
Plus, the sight of Durant hanging out with best buddy Kyrie Irving over All-Star weekend drew suspicions about a potential Durant departure to the New York Knicks, with Irving joining him in the Big Apple.
As was the case when Durant departed the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Warriors, only time — and an official announcement — will both tell and quell the rumors.
Until then, may the speculation continue.
