Former teammates Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have spoken since KD left OKC for Golden State, and according to the 2014 MVP, Russ told him he respects his choice.
"I talked to [Westbrook]…I'm sure he wasn't happy about the decision but he respected it as my friend."
— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) July 7, 2016
There have been reports that Westbrook and the Thunder organization were unhappy with the Warriors’ courtship of Durant, which lasted a couple of years in the lead up to his highly-anticipated free agency this summer.
KD insists that the two All-Stars will maintain their relationship.
Per the Bay Area News Group:
“It’s tough,” Durant said Thursday at his introductory press conference. “Obviously we were teammates for so long and I had a lot of great memories. I’m sure he wasn’t happy about the decision, but he respected it as my friend.”
Since Durant agreed to terms with the Warriors, reports emerged of some fracturing in his relationship with Westbrook. Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical said on his podcast that Westbrook was among the Thunder players bothered by Durant’s relationship with Draymond Green. Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck reported that there was frustration with Westbrook on Durant’s part as well.
“You know, we had great years, something that you’ll never take away from us,” Durant said. “But like I said, I wanted a new chapter in my life. I felt like it was time for it, and I made the decision. I couldn’t consider totally everybody’s feelings at this point because it would be hard to, so I just tried to focus on me but also realize the relationships that I had I still wanted those to be — I’m sure they won’t be the same, but I still wanted to go out there and leave with some class and some dignity, but hopefully I did, hopefully he understands, and I’m sure we’ll talk again.”
