Rockets' Kevin Durant Thought Stephen Curry was Mad About Him Joining Warriors

Feb 18, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Western Conference forward Kevin Durant (35) of the Phoenix Suns and guard Stephen Curry (30) of the Golden State Warriors react after the third quarter against the Western Conference All-Stars in the 73rd NBA All Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant's decision to join the Golden State Warriors in 2016 was perhaps one of the biggest surprises that we've ever seen in free agency. Sure, LeBron James joining the Miami Heat was just as league-altering and equally impactful and monumental. 

But this was different. 

Durant was joining a team that had just won 73 games -- an NBA record. This was the greatest team ever adding one of the greatest players ever, in free agency.

This wasn't a trade, unlike how the Rockets acquired Durant this offseason. This was him deciding to join three All-Stars and future Hall of Famers in Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Stephen Curry. 

Lots of fans and media members who cover the sport were upset. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith coined it the weakest move he's ever seen. Durant reportedly thought Curry was also upset at the decision, when Curry didn't return his phone call.

Curry explained the situation in his new book Shot Ready.

"I thought you were pissed off when you didn't call me back," Durant said.

Curry chalked it up to a time zone mix-up, due to a summer vacation with his family.

"When he announced his decision to join Golden State, I was in Hawaii on a family vacation. K tried to call me before he told the world, but with the time difference from the East Coast, I was still asleep by the time he announced. Half the day—and half the news cycle—had passed before I even knew what was going on."

Curry apologized to Durant.

"Sorry man. That was something else. I didn't know what was going on."

Curry details his conversation with Durant prior to the Rockets forward's official decision. 

"We want to win. Think you could help?"

Curry went on to elaborate that it was a no-brainer for the team to add one of the greatest players ever (much like the Rockets' decision this summer, especially for the asking price of Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and one first-round draft pick).

He wanted to know that Durant was fully committed to the goal of winning. The team went to three consecutive NBA Finals, knocking off the Rockets in each of the latter two seasons, and eliminated the aforementioned LeBron James in consecutive NBA Finals matchups, to the chagrin of Rockets wing Amen Thompson. 

All told, Durant won two titles and two Finals MVPs with the Warriors.