Warriors general manager Bob Myers doesn't see Kevin Durant's impending free agency as an elephant in their locker room.
Myers told reporters on Monday that speculation surrounding Durant's future has not adversely affected him or his teammates. Instead, he thinks Golden State remains focused on the season.
"I don't necessarily feel (increased tension) in the locker room, personally," Myers said (via ESPN). "I don't feel like it's become part of our fabric. I think maybe that comes from being a team that's been scrutinized the last three, four years and are used to a lot of the coverage, which they've earned and deserve. You've got players that have been in a spotlight position and Steve, who's got great experience as a player, playing with some high-level guys, coaching our team.
"He really is kind of the steward of that ship as far as keeping our locker room intact and in a good place, but it's not easy. It's a hard thing to do. But I don't sense any of that creeping in from my perspective."
Myers echoed some of his players' thoughts. Andre Iguodala noted that five years in the NBA's spotlight has made navigating the rumor mill "second nature" to the Warriors, who largely tune it all out.
Those rumors haven't dampened Myers' (or Joe Lacob's) belief that Golden State will be able to put the rumor mill to bed, and re-sign Durant. And, ultimately, Myers said he understands why the rumors are there in the first place.
"I don't get upset," Myers said. "It's a competitive league. I've got great respect for all the other teams. That's what they're supposed to do, right? I think that's what makes the NBA what it is. Star players can change narratives with different teams, can change a direction good and bad."
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Assuming the Warriors re-sign Klay Thompson, they'll still have (at least) three All-Stars in the fold. But keeping a fourth is the direction in which they most want to head.
