The Golden State Warriors are preparing for potentially yet another title run. Despite some struggles earlier in the season, the two-time defending champs are back to playing great basketball.
That was magnified with road wins over the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder recently.
However, there is a rather unnerving backdrop to Golden State’s championship chase. All-Stars Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins are all slated to become free agents.
Even more so than the other two, rumors have persisted that Durant could bolt Golden State after three seasons.
In talking about that possibility, fellow All-Star Draymond Green didn’t seem to be too concerned.
“He’s part of it right now. Whatever happens this summer happens. Whatever the hell he do, he does. If he go, he go. If he stay, he stay,” Green said, via The Athletic’s Sam Amick. “But while he’s here, we’re going to win another championship. It’s just that simple. Nothing else matters.”
Green, who led the charge in recruiting Durant prior to the 2016-17 season, got into it with his MVP teammate earlier in the season. Whether this tone means that there’s still hard feelings remains to be seen.
Then again, Green did address the spat with Durant.
“Like said in the beginning of the season, when the shit happened with me and Kevin, everybody hopes that something like that would tear us apart,” Green continued. “But the fact of the matter is it’s not. And until somebody can come and beat us, it don’t matter. If I was on the other team, I’d hope some shit like that would tear us apart too.”
For his part, Durant refuses to discuss his impending free agency. Like Green, he’s more focused on bringing the Warriors a fourth title in five seasons.
When July comes calling, that will change relatively quickly. For now, the task at hand is the final couple handfuls of regular-season games and the playoffs.