Bob Myers: Kevin Durant ‘wanted to try something different’

In his first comments since Kevin Durant left for Brooklyn —and D’Angelo Russell arrived, Warriors GM Bob Myers said that Durant just wanted a change.

“He just felt like it was something inside of him, in his heart, that he wanted to try something different,” Myers said. “Nothing wrong with that. I have a peace about it, personally. I hope our fans can too. ,,, I think for him it was just a new chapter, trying something different.”

Brooklyn, of course, presents a number of differences from Golden State, starting with a team who’s been to the Finals five straight years vs. a team that’s been building for three years. Presumably, Durant has long wanted to play in New York. Not to mention the change in conferences. Left unsaid was one of those differences the medical care he received before rupturing his achilles and the Nets vaunted medical/performance team?

The Warriors GM said he spoke with Durant for an “hour or two” before the opening of free agency about much broader topics than just basketball . Myers said the organization did everything it could to keep him, but Durant thought it was time for a change in his life.

Myers also disclosed that it was not long after KD’s announcement on June 30 that he called the Nets about a sign-and-trade. The deal was ultimately executed on July 7. Russell received a four-year, $117 million extension in the process.

Brian Windhorst reported last week that Kevin Durant refused to agree to the S&T unless Brooklyn also received a first round pick. The Warriors ultimately agreed and the Nets got a top 20-protected pick in next year’s draft.

As for DLo, Myers said the Warriors are not looking to trade him, as some have speculated.

“I know it’s been written and speculated. That’s fine,” Myers said Monday. “That’s what everybody’s job is to do. We didn’t sign him with the intention of just trading him. We haven’t even seen him play in our uniform yet, and a lot of people have us already trading him. That’s not how we’re viewing it. Let’s just see what we have. Let’s see what he is. Let’s see how he fits.”

• Warriors GM: We didn’t acquire Russell to flip him - Nick Friedell - ESPN
• Kevin Durant lived his best life this summer, even if it didn’t make any sense - James Dator - SB Nation