CJ McCollum Has an Unpopular Opinion on Kevin Durant’s Warriors Exit

The Golden State Warriors just don’t have the dream team anymore, the way they did a couple of years back. When entering October 2018, the Dubs were the most dominant team in the league, having four NBA finals appearances and also winning two championships. In fact, fans wonder if Kevin Durant had stayed with the Warriors, their legacy could have been much bigger.

So why didn’t he? While most think his right with his then-teammate Draymond Green was the biggest reason, CJ McCollum explained that it was much bigger than that.

Beef with Draymond Green got worse because of media

May 11, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates against the Phoenix Suns during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

On Pull Up by CJ McCollum, he recalled everything he could remember about the Kevin Durant and Draymond Green drama. He explained that there was a lot that was at play which was making the situation more complicated. Which eventually lead to his exit. But then he said, “The argument didn’t help, and the way they handled it probably didn’t help.”

“But also the media, the way they portrayed everything. The way they had to ask about it and watch how that relationship and dynamic would continue after that, played a factor.”

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Kevin Durant could have stayed if he wanted

However, CJ McCollum also confessed that Durant isn’t the one to be forced to leave. He explained, “At the end of the day, KD is the type of a guy that if he wanted to stay, he would have stayed. His actions In previous situations, and on previous teams that he probably felt like his time was up there. He had been there for a long time, he had won multiple championships, he had won multiple finals MVPs, he kind of got what he was looking for.”

“In the sense of playing on arguably one of the best teams ever created. Being able to learn a different style, being able to play a different style. I think he went in there an elite player, he left an elite player who understood the game better, who was a better all-around player from a defensive standpoint, to an offensive standpoint, to a creativity standpoint to a guy who can kind of orchestrate offense, manipulate a defense, yeah he stopped. But I think he took it to another level after he played alongside Steph, Dre, Klay.”

Apr 25, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) looks up after getting fouled in the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Of course, this is all just from CJ’s viewpoint. Recently, KD and Green sat down for Draymond’s podcast and cleared the air about their entire situation. All the inside dirt is available after so many years. But for them to be able to sit together also means that if those two have left all that behind, everyone else should too. Don’t you think?

READ MORE: “Hate Me More Than I Liked”: Kevin Durant Opens Up About His Rocky Relationship With the Media

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