Kevin Durant reveals the problem with the Thunder that pushed him to Golden State

Houston Rockets All-Star Kevin Durant has revisited his 2016 decision to quit Oklahoma City Thunder and join Golden State Warriors. Durant returning to the Warriors was a possibility last season, according to reports. He ended up staying with the Phoenix Suns before signing with the Rockets over the summer. However, reflecting on his decision to leave the Thunder, Kevin kept the 100.

For Durant, it’s about joining Stephen Curry and the Warriors to win a championship too tempting an offer unlike his Thunder teammates, he said, along with his Rockets teammate Fred VanVleet, according to Unguarded.

“We had a lot of specialists in OKC. Guys who played defense but couldn’t score on their own. They couldn’t shoot the ball, someone who could shoot but then couldn’t guard that well. So it takes a lot in trying to make that offense work,” Durant said. “We did a solid job, but I’m looking at Golden State. They call me and I’m like f— we can probably average 120 (points) a game. I don’t have to worry about the zone every time I catch the ball.”

Kevin Durant on why he left OKC for Golden State: “We had a lot of specialists in OKC. Guys who played defense but couldn’t shoot themselves. He couldn’t shoot the ball, someone who could shoot but couldn’t guard that well.” pic.twitter.com/oLnUFcI99n

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) December 17, 2025

Durant and the Warriors would go on to win back-to-back championships in 2018. Durant has yet to appear in the NBA Finals since then.

Steve Kerr is the reason Kevin Durant didn’t want a Warriors reunion

Head coach of the Warriors Steve Kerr and Kevin Durant haven’t always seen eye to eyeespecially during Durant’s final season with the Warriors, according to The Ringer’s Logan Murdoch.

Durant’s problems with Kerr he allegedly followed himwho played a significant role in KD’s decision that a Warriors reunion was not best for him.

“Those problems with coaches followed him on many paths through the NBA,” Murdoch wrote. “Durant’s departure from the Bay Area probably had more to do with his issues with Steve Kerr than any shouting match with Green. Durant complained repeatedly both publicly and privately about Kerr’s offensive principles during his final season with the Warriors, and continued to do so even after he left for Brooklyn.

“The two have since reconciled, but league sources cite Kerr as one of the reasons Durant decided not to return to Golden State at the trade deadline,” Murdoch concluded.