On this day in 2016, the Oklahoma City Thunder were forever changed with Kevin Durant officially announcing his departure and intention to sign with the Golden State Warriors.
As most are aware, 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 officially closed.
What makes this move sting worse was that 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 fanbase.
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 their current young core led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Durant has played for three separate teams since the Thunder and is currently on the Phoenix Suns.
While time heals all wounds, it’s apparent that 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 or not he should still receive such a harsh reaction all these years later.
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Story originally appeared on Thunder Wire
