National Basketball Association

Kevin Durant already soaking up Bay Area opportunities

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Kevin Durant chose the Golden State Warriors because it was the best basketball decision. It also happened to be a great business move.

It’s no secret that the Golden State Warriors were the best option for Kevin Durant. Sure, the Oklahoma City Thunder pushed them to the brink of elimination in the Western Conference Finals with Russell Westbrook and Steven Adams. But the Dubs’ are in position to do something special.

Prior to his decision, Durant was pretty adamant that his decision was going to based on basketball. And that was probably his primary motivator. But it’s never just that. There’s too much at stake for a professional basketball to just make a basketball decision.

And Durant admitted to that in his letter on the Player’s Tribune. He wrote:

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.

First of all, “with this in mind, I have decided that I am going to join the Golden State Warriors” just might be the greatest sentence ever written. But it’s important to take a look at what he says right before that. Durant wrote his new home offering “the greatest potential for my contribution and personal growth.”

He wants to grow as much off the court as he does on it. Durant made it clear that he loved Oklahoma City for what it was. Despite that, it’s not hard to see that it doesn’t offer what the Bay Area does. And the 2014 MVP is already seizing every opportunity.

On September 7, Apple had a huge event in San Francisco. In it, CEO Tim Cook unveiled the highly iPhone 7. Some other noteworthy announcements are that Super Mario will be arriving and headphone jacks will be departing, The even is a big deal.

Durant was in attendance. It’s probably for more than just the fact that he has an iPhone. It’s a great opportunity for him to network and get his (huge) foot in the door in the tech world. He gets to spend time with major players in that arena, learn from them, and soak everything all in.

On September 13, the Six God was in town. Superstar rapper Drake was performing at Oracle Arena. It was his first of two shows. Throughout the night, the Toronto-native wore a white Golden State Warriors jersey. It had a “35” and said “Durant.” Then the Champagne Papi brought him out on stage.

Drake did not play a show in Oklahoma City on his “Summer Sixteen” tour. Durant was welcomed by a wild Oracle Arena crowd–something he should get used to. The star forward has said that Drake is his favorite rapper so this was probably a really great moment for him.

On September 16, the St. Louis Cardinals were in town to take on the San Francisco Giants. The Giants have won three of the last five World Series. They’re a championship organization with dreams of winning another one this year.

Durant threw out the first pitch, in his very own customized Giants jersey. He got to spend time with the players and signed some autographs with fans. He also got to spend time with greatness. Already one of the basketball players ever, Durant got to pick the brain of the greatest basketball player ever, Willie Mays.

The Bay Area is the place to be for pretty much every reason you can think of. The culture, the diversity, the weather, the art, the sports, and, most important, the booming tech industry make it so enticing. It’s important to take advantage of as much as you can.

Durant is doing that. For a professional basketball player, the brand is just as important as the X’s and O’s. They have to prepare for life after basketball. They have to build something that will both support themselves and their family financially and help solidify a legacy. He has a chance to really tap into a huge market with, mostly, deep pockets and a plethora of business options.

Sometimes relocating for work as its perks.