NBA
Winners of the NBA a few weeks ago, the Golden State Warriors are having an eventful summer. While the San Francisco team had many departures during Free Agency, one was said to have caused discord within the franchise. Indeed, several players in the squad would not understand the decision to let one of their former teammates go free…
Despite the fact that the Golden State Warriors have won a new title of champions of NBA, the leaders of the San Francisco club are already facing many attacks during the Free Agency. Indeed, with a highly coveted workforce, the Warriors have lost many players, left free of any contract. This is particularly the case of Tuscany–anderson who is involved with Los Angeles Lakers when the market opens. While the financial mass of the club is too high, the Warriors would struggle to compete with offers from other franchises. Many departures that would tend to annoy on the side of San Francisco. Despite everything, the leaders are determined to fill the positions left vacant. Recently, a potential return of Kevin Durant was mentioned, he who had created the scandal when he left the Warriors.
NBA: Ben Simmons deprives Kevin Durant of an incredible return to Golden State https://t.co/298fM89Q7G pic.twitter.com/IhAkIyeFWL
— le10sport (@le10sport) July 4, 2022
A remake of the Durant controversy?
After losing the final, Kevin Durant had left the Warriors in the summer of 2019. A departure which had triggered tensions at the time. If certain stars of the team wanted a departure from the “Slim Reaper”, others opposed it. An episode that always had to be talked about. Kevin Durant expressed himself after his departure: “It wasn’t the argument that pushed me out, it was more the way everyone handled it. Steve Kerr acted like it didn’t happen, Bob Myers tried to lecture you thinking it would erase everything… I really felt like it was a state affair, when we needed to externalize it. (…) They tried to dodge this whole story, and I didn’t like the atmosphere around it. I found it shitty”. Lately, another transfer could have the same effect on the West Coast of the United States.
The departure of Gary Payton sows misunderstanding
According to information fromAnthony Slater, journalist for The Athletica departure from Gary Payton II during the Free Agency would have greatly annoyed several players and coaches: “The departure of Gary Payton II has piqued several players and several members of the organization according to our sources. Everyone loved the person, and they learned to love the contribution of his unique qualities. He was helping to win. For the first time since reaching the top in 2015, the Warriors have lost one of the nuggets they unearthed by refusing to offer him a salary commensurate with his contribution. explains the journalist.
Free agent Gary Payton II is finalizing a three-year, $28 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022
Several stars disapprove
According to the same source, several stars of Warriors would not understand the departure of Gary Payton II for Portland. Some team executives deplore in particular that the leaders let go of a player who had done important work in the playoffs, especially during the finals against Boston. According to Basketball session, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green would have activated to hold him back, without success. Tension is mounting for the Warriors.