Will Kevin Durant ever return to the OKC Thunder?

Will Kevin Durant ever return to the OKC?
Will Kevin Durant ever return to the OKC?

In the future, Kevin Durant will be remembered fondly by fans in Oklahoma as one of the best players in Thunder history.

At the present time, however, the majority of Oklahoma fans feel anger and resentment towards the 2014 MVP. The fans' anger towards the superstar is fueled by Durant's decision to leave the franchise for the Golden State Warriors in 2016.

The OKC fanbase worshiped the nine-time All-Star during his eight seasons with the organization. Durant formed one of the NBA's most dynamic duos with Russell Westbrook.

The fans felt a bond with Durant due to the fact that he was with the Thunder from the very beginning in 2008, and they had been there to witness his transformation into the NBA's best player since LeBron James.

The biggest regret for both the Thunder and Kevin Durant is that the superstar left without delivering a first NBA Championship to Oklahoma. The team came closest in 2012, as they were defeated in the Finals by the Miami Heat.

OKC were also on the brink in 2016, leading the Golden State Warriors 3-1 in the Western Conference Finals. The Warriors, however, won the three remaining games to advance, and Game 7 was the last time that Durant was seen in a Thunder jersey.

Durant, of course, went on to join the Warriors in free agency, breaking the hearts of OKC fans worldwide.

Durant has not been well received during his returns to Oklahoma
Durant has not been well received during his returns to Oklahoma

Fast forward two years, and Durant is now a two-time NBA Champion. He is still one of the best players in the league, and is set to be the most in-demand free agent of 2019.

The 30-year-old is expected to leave the Warriors in favor of signing a max deal with a franchise such as the Knicks.

Despite the current anger towards Durant from the OKC fanbase, they would welcome the superstar back in a heartbeat. Unfortunately for Thunder fans though, the franchise clearly does not have the cap space to sign him in the summer, as Paul George and Russell Westbrook are both signed to long-term max-contracts.

There is always hope of a return further down the line, and Durant still refers to Oklahoma as 'home'. KD would love to win a Championship with the franchise that drafted him, and while it may not happen in 2019, Oklahoma may one day enjoy a Kevin Durant homecoming.

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Edited by Musab Abid