Kevin Durant Speaks on Contract, Loyalty and More in GQ Exclusive

Kevin Durant has a big decision to make ahead of the 2016 NBA offseason, and the six-time All-Star had plenty to say about his impending free agency in an exclusive interview with GQ.com.   

When asked about his loyalty to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the 2014 NBA MVP emphasized the fact that he signed a contract without an opt-out clause in 2010, according to GQ.com's Zach Baron:

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I was loyal. If it comes down to that, I mean: I was. My deal's up in 2016. I'll have been here nine years. I could have easily wanted out. I could have easily not signed the extension after my rookie contract. I could have not played as hard every night. But people tend to forget. ... This is not just a game for us. This is life. Like, we live and die and breathe by basketball. We're away from our families to entertain other people.

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In addition to that, the 26-year-old superstar discussed the double standard that exists between players and organizations in the NBA:

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When players do stuff that benefits them, they're looked at as unloyal, selfish. But when a team decides to go the other way and cut a player, or not bring him back or not re-sign him, it's what's best for the team, and that's cool. But what we do is frowned upon, you know?

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Darnell Mayberry and Anthony Slater of NewsOK.com provided more comments from Durant, who later elaborated on his relationship with the media:

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Let's be real. Let's look at the whole thing. I've been in the league eight years. The media and myself have had a great relationship for eight years. I said something. Two days in a row I said something. Am I allowed to be upset one time? Am I allowed to be mad? Am I human? Do you look at me that way? I can't say nothing wrong? We had great communication for eight years and it's still that way. But I had a moment. Everybody in life has one. You had one for sure before but it's not broadcasted like mine. I was more so trying to take up for my teammates, my coach and every guy in the league that gets scrutinized and I don't like. Maybe I shouldn't say nothing about it. I had my moment. More than anything I was told I bite the hand that feeds me. I don't know what that means. I really don't know what that means. I wish someone would explain it to me. But I don't remember none of you guys being there when I was eight years old and putting in that work, the nights when I'm in here putting in that work. So I don't really understand what that means. But, hey, I gotta roll with it. That's a part of it. I shouldn't cry cause everybody been through it.

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Durant has yet to sign a new contract with the Thunder, and if he enters the 2015-16 campaign without a deal in place, there is no question that his status will be a huge topic of conversation all season long, much like LeBron James in 2013-14.

Many have assumed that Durant is destined to sign with the hometown Washington Wizards, but he made it clear that spending time in the nation's capital isn't exactly a comfortable situation for him.

"It gets overwhelming. So many people, man. Everybody wants a piece of you," he said.

Durant certainly didn't show his hand in the GQ.com interview, but nobody should expect him to since he has the upper hand in negotiations with the Thunder or any other team since he's one of the best players in the world.

What Durant did do, however, is highlight his loyalty, while also pointing out that he will do what he believes is in his own best interests.

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