Shumpert Blames Durant for Missing Out on More Rings
Iman Shumpert said Kevin Durant's move to the Warriors cost him two additional NBA titles. Shumpert was part of the Cavaliers team that beat Golden State in 2016, but the Warriors added Durant and won the next two Finals. Shumpert believes the Cavaliers would have won those championships if Durant had stayed with Oklahoma City.
Shumpert’s grievance stems from the Cavaliers’ 2016 Finals win over a 73-win Warriors squad, a series that swung after Draymond Green’s suspension. Golden State then signed Durant, who had just lost to them in the Western Conference Finals. Cleveland reached the next two Finals but fell both times, with Durant earning Finals MVP honors each year. Shumpert later played for Sacramento, Houston, and Brooklyn before retiring.
The article notes that even without Durant, the Warriors had Curry, Thompson, and Green, and had led Cleveland 3-1 in 2016 before Green’s absence changed momentum. Shumpert’s claim assumes Oklahoma City would have beaten Golden State in later playoffs, but the Warriors’ core had already proven capable of near-dominance. His frustration reflects a role player’s perspective on how one signing reshaped title outcomes.
Shumpert’s comments may resonate with fans who view superstar team-stacking as diminishing competitive balance, potentially fueling debates about player movement and legacy. Younger audiences could see this as a cautionary tale about how individual decisions alter careers and championships. However, it may also be dismissed as sour grapes from a former role player, limiting its broader societal impact beyond basketball discourse.