Durant announces decision to sign with Warriors

Kevin Durant is taking his talents to the Bay Area.

The 27-year-old forward announced on The Players' Tribune on Monday that he will be signing with the Golden State Warriors.

ESPN's Marc Stein reports that Durant will sign a two-year, $54.3-million deal with a player option for the second year.

Durant explained in his letter that he agonized over the decision, but ultimately chose the Warriors based on his opportunity to evolve and mature.

The primary mandate I had for myself in making this decision was to have it based on the potential for my growth as a player – as that has always steered me in the right direction. But I am also at a point in my life where it is of equal importance to find an opportunity that encourages my evolution as a man: moving out of my comfort zone to a new city and community which offers the greatest potential for my contribution and personal growth.

With this in mind, I have decided that I am going to join the Golden State Warriors.

Having spent the entirety of his nine-year career to date with the Thunder/Seattle SuperSonics franchise, Durant explained that he will miss Oklahoma City and is thankful for the fans and the community.

As for the Warriors, adding Durant immediately erases the bitter taste of losing Game 7 of the NBA Finals, and it puts them squarely in the driver's seat. The 73-win roster from a season ago would only need to shed Andrew Bogut and release restricted free agent Harrison Barnes to open up enough room for the five-time scoring champion.

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That would give the Warriors four All-NBA players all in their early-to-mid 20s in Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and now Durant.

Given that he's the biggest free agent to hit the market in half a decade, Durant's pursuit was years in the making. The Warriors reportedly chased Durant all season before making their most convincing pitch in the playoffs by pulling off a 3-1 series comeback against the Thunder.