Kevin Durant to Warriors: Draymond Green Discusses SF's Decision in SI Exclusive

The Golden State Warriors won 73 games this past season and were one victory away from a championship repeat. Now they've added a superstar in Kevin Durant, which his new teammate, Draymond Green, deemed "one of the biggest moves in NBA history" on Monday. 

Green spoke about Durant's decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder in favor of building perhaps the greatest team ever assembled in an exclusive interview with SI.com's Alex Kennedy.

Kennedy shared one of Green's key quotes about Durant on Twitter:

Golden State's acquisition of Durant, who signed a two-year, $54.3 million deal, per ESPN.com's Marc Stein, will inspire talk of a dynasty.

Kennedy hinted at that possibility in another question posed to Green:

Green also discussed how Durant's personality and game are both a great fit for the Warriors' culture and system:

"

I was really just telling [Durant] about the fun we have together—the fun that this team has and how he would be welcome here with open arms. And it's not about 'I' with us on this team. It's all about 'we' and winning championships. He fits that mold perfectly because that's who he is. It doesn't take him changing his whole game or changing his personality to come join us. He's just going to be Kevin.

[...] I think it's a great fit. [...] On the offensive end, he shoots the ball just as well as anyone in the NBA. I think one thing that he really adds to us is that he's a guy who can get a bucket at any time, in any way. [...] But the thing that I'm most excited about is the defensive end—the length that he adds to our defense. I just keep thinking of how incredible that's going to be.

"

Critics may deride Durant for taking the easy way out of Oklahoma City, where he spent nine years and was a league MVP and four-time scoring champion. Green seems to be defending him against potential critics in that camp, and he spoke about the qualities that ultimately made Golden State the most appealing destination for KD.

Durant won the MVP award in 2014, but in the subsequent two seasons, Warriors superstar Stephen Curry took the accolade. Now they're on the same squad, along with one of the game's best, most versatile players in Green and perhaps the best all-around 2-guard in Klay Thompson.

SI NBA on Twitter captured Green's initial reaction, as told to Kennedy:

Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported how Green, the Warriors' consensus emotional leader, was particularly instrumental in luring Durant:

There isn't a ton of room to add any more pieces to Golden State's roster, but it's of little consequence. Provided the new Big Four stays healthy and plays to its capabilities, the Dubs could very well improve on their 73 wins from 2015-16.

But because Durant made the decision he did, the NBA may have a new villain on its hands in Golden State.

The Cleveland Cavaliers just mounted a Finals comeback for the ages, overcoming a 3-1 deficit to stun the Warriors. LeBron James, who was once vilified for leaving Cleveland as a free agent, returned to the Cavs and led the franchise to its first NBA title.

Part of what sparked Cleveland's rally was Green's suspension in Game 5. He accepted the blame for his conduct and role in losing the seven-game series. Curry's play also declined down the stretch, and what could have been the greatest season ever culminated in a shocking collapse.

Those storylines have taken a back seat in swift fashion. The Warriors have erased the negative attention from falling short in the Finals by making a big splash on the open market and are now prohibitive championship favorites for 2016-17 thanks to Durant's arrival in Oakland.