In 2016, the Thunder were on the verge of an all-time upset, needing one more win to slay the mighty Warriors, who were coming off an unprecedented 73-9 regular season. Months later, after squandering a 3-2 series lead in the Western Conference Finals, Kevin Durant would leave OKC high and dry, defecting to Golden State in free agency.
Durant would win two titles with Golden State, though critics would largely dismiss his accomplishments, citing his All-Star supporting cast of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Tired of sharing the spotlight with Curry, Durant would ultimately leave again to build his own empire in Brooklyn, enlisting the help of fellow black sheep Kyrie Irving.
Durant’s greatness is undeniable, though his prickly demeanor (evident in his recent confrontations with fans) and defiant me-against-the-world mentality, feuding with anyone who dare disagree with him on social media, has no doubt complicated his legacy. But even after his betrayal of Oklahoma City, Durant still feels he deserves to have his No. 35 raised to the rafters.
“OKC has to retire my jersey,” Durant expressed to Logan Murdock of The Ringer. “It wouldn’t even be good for the game of basketball if they didn’t. The same with Golden State.”
Some would argue Durant didn’t play for the Warriors long enough (only three seasons) to warrant that distinction, though his two Finals MVP Awards might make that irrelevant. The Warriors have kept Durant’s No. 35 out of circulation since his departure three years ago, though Oklahoma City did reissue his number to P.J. Dozier for two games in 2018. Durant remains OKC’s all-time leader in career three-pointers (1,143) and is third in scoring behind former teammate Russell Westbrook and Hall-of-Famer Gary Payton.
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