Maybe we overlooked something very important all along in this KD move to Golden State? Perhaps KD was in search of a close basketball relationship. A BFF. During his time in Rio with USA basketball, KD was in awe of the closeness between Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan of the Raptors. So much in awe he texted former Thunder assistant, now Raptors assistant coach, Rex Kalamian to say how jealous he was of their closeness.
In an article by Chris O’Leary of the Star.com Kalamian quoted a text he received from KD:
Your two guys are the best. I’m jealous of their relationship, the way they get along with each other and the way they play together. The way they enjoy each other, it’s great.
Kalamian hints that, a close bond is one of the main reasons KD sought to leave OKC. He continued:
I think it’s kind of what he wants. He wants that bond with someone . . . and I think he’s going to find that.
Some people are loners, some like to be part of a group, some people seek close connections with others. Maybe KD is looking to be a part of a brotherhood, that was splintered in OKC. Kalamian brings up an interesting point in the article that has been discussed in the past but should be looked at again:
We had that (bond) really with James Harden. He was a connector of everyone. He brought Westbrook, Durant and (Serge) Ibaka and they all kind of connected, they all came together. James is a big reason and when he left I think Kevin said . . . that trade was the beginning of the end for him and now there wasn’t that connection as much.
Never underestimate the power of friendships and connections on teams and how they can galvanize a locker room. Despite all the success OKC had since the Harden trade, things were never the same. Maybe Durant is looking to recreate that type of connection he had early on in OKC.