The Golden State Warriors are going through this season with Kevin Durant’s looming free agency hanging over their heads. It’s possible that Durant decides to stay in the Bay Area beyond this season, of course, but there’s a very easy to imagine a scenario where the Warriors get their third ring in a row and Durant decides to take his career elsewhere.
Of course, the Warriors are as good as any team at recruiting, and their players, coaches, and executives will spend the next year reminding Durant why he should stick around and continue to add to his Hall of Fame resume with Golden State. For now, the team apparently doesn’t have any idea what he’s going to do.
Some internet sleuths believe we were given a clue on Wednesday morning from the most reliable news source there is in 2018: Instagram comment sections. Durant posted a picture on Instagram celebrating Golden State’s opening night victory over Oklahoma City. In slid his brother, Tony, who said he wants to fill “the hand up before we get outta here.”
https://twitter.com/World_Wide_Wob/status/1052587738741035009
https://twitter.com/World_Wide_Wob/status/1052590477491544064
The easiest explanation here is that Tony Durant knew a bunch of rubes like myself would run with this and turn it into content, but who knows? Maybe this is a clue into what the two-time NBA Finals MVP is thinking … or not, we’ll know in eight and a half months. At the very least, we know that KD has no interest in discussing next summer, which he made clear to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
“I just want people to focus on basketball,” Durant told Yahoo Sports after posting 27 points, eight rebounds and six assists. “Focus on what goes on the court. I know it’s hard to keep up with it. I know it’s easy to look at that type of [expletive] because it’s the entertainment side. But wait until the season is over with to analyze [free agency]. I know it’s your job and it’s hard to say that, but try to shift some of your focus to the court, too. I know you have to still do your job and check on stuff like that, but every day? Every city I go to? Come on, man. I said what I had to say at media day. I understand your job, but let’s come to a little agreement. Don’t ask me every time you see me. If it’s the first time I’m seeing y’all, I don’t mind answering. But every time? Come on, bro.”
This story isn’t going anywhere, because a player the caliber of Durant changing teams doesn’t happen every day. So naturally, all eyes will turn to the Instagram account out his brother for more information.
