Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors speaks with Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder after their 96-88 win in Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 30, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images/AFP
Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant confirmed Monday he is leaving the club to join the Golden State Warriors.
Durant, the most coveted NBA free agent in basketball, announced his move on the Players Tribune website after what he described as the “most challenging few weeks in my professional life.”
The 27-year-old forward said he was joining the Warriors to enhance his growth as a player and a person.
“The primary mandate I had for myself in making this decision was to have it based on the potential for my growth as a player — as that has always steered me in the right direction,” Durant wrote.
“But I am also at a point in my life where it is of equal importance to find an opportunity that encourages my evolution as a man: moving out of my comfort zone to a new city and community which offers the greatest potential for my contribution and personal growth.”
Durant, a seven-time NBA All Star and the NBA’s MVP in 2014, gives Golden State a formidable weapon as they build towards next season.
The Warriors are still licking their wounds after slumping to a 4-3 NBA finals defeat to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers last month.
The 6ft 9in (2.06-meter) Durant took the Thunder to the brink of victory against Golden State in the Western Conference finals earlier last season, inspiring his team to a 3-1 series lead before the Warriors fought back to win 4-3.
“It really pains me to know that I will disappoint so many people with this choice, but I believe I am doing what I feel is the right thing at this point in my life and my playing career,” Durant also said.