Kevin Durant has proven to be one of the most influential stars in the NBA. This summer, he chose the Brooklyn Nets and the Golden State Warriors saw it as an opportunity to snag D’Angelo Russell with a sign-and-trade.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Durant wouldn’t sign off on the deal until the Warriors included a first-round pick in the deal.
“First, Durant initially balked at being traded for Russell straight up, multiple sources said,” Windhorst writes. “He didn’t think it was a fair deal, and in this case, the Warriors had to not just satisfy the Nets, but also Durant.