On this day in 2016, the Oklahoma City Thunder were forever changed when Kevin Durant announced his departure and intention to sign with the Golden State Warriors.
Durant changed the NBA landscape with this single move seven years ago. The Thunder lost their greatest player in franchise history and their championship window closed.
What made this move sting worse was the Thunder were a win away from upsetting the Warriors in the 2016 Western Conference finals. To go from championship aspirations to seeing your title window close in a one-month span created quite the whiplash of emotions for the fan base.
Meanwhile, Durant enjoyed a three-year tenure with the Warriors that saw him win back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018.
Since their divorce, both parties have gone in different directions.
The Thunder enjoyed a few more playoff appearances with Russell Westbrook at the helm before eventually pivoting to a rebuild that has gifted OKC its current young core led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Durant has played for three teams since the Thunder and is currently on the Phoenix Suns.
While time heals all wounds, it’s apparent hurt feelings are still there between Durant and Thunder fans.
In his first game at OKC since Nov. 2021, Durant was heavily booed by fans this past April, which sparked the everlasting debate as to whether he should still receive such a harsh reaction all these years later.
HAPPY 4th YALL….🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ROrAlkAPWy
— Thunder Film Room (@ThunderFilmRoom) July 4, 2023
