Each NBA team’s greatest free agent signing in franchise history

Golden State Warriors: Kevin Durant, Small Forward (2016-Present)

Before it happened, the idea of Kevin Durant joining the Golden State Warriors seemed unfathomable to the NBA world. Here was one of the best players in the game who was thinking about joining not only the team that knocked him out of the Western Conference Finals, but a squad coming off a historic 73-win campaign within minutes of back-to-back titles.

It was a potential move also born out of some of the most unusual circumstances, where a spike in the salary cap created more spending money and a previous contract given out to a supposed damaged asset in Stephen Curry left money on the table.

The Warriors had lost the 2016 NBA Finals, paving the way for Durant to come aboard in an unprecedented signing. The move was met with rage and frustration around the league that turned what was once a homegrown surprise into a vilified superteam.

This was a persona both Golden State and Durant would have to embrace in order to reclaim their spot on the championship mountaintop.

Whereas most assumed Durant would simply be along for the ride, his level of play suggested a full-blown takeover of the wheel. If his scoring numbers took a hit, it was only because he was upping his efficiency.

The man was his usual dominant self leading up to the NBA Finals. It was on that championship stage, though, where he truly made a statement about his place among the all-time greats.

In helping the Warriors to consecutive championships while winning two NBA Finals MVPs in the process, Durant averaged 32.3 points on a line of .543/.450/.941 to go along with 9.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.9 blocks per game.

This doesn’t include the two daggers he drilled from nearly the same spot in Game 3 of both the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals that sealed the game and essentially the series for Golden State.

What was already a championship contender has been elevated to historic levels as arguably the greatest assemblage of talent that’s laid waste to the rest of the NBA.

Say what you will about his decision, but there’s no denying Durant’s influence on the Warriors in helping them to more championships, while slowly bypassing some historic legends with a legacy that continues to grow each day.