Brooks happy for Durant, respects Warriors decision

In the two years leading up to Kevin Durant's free agency this summer, many expected his hometown Washington Wizards to at least get a meeting with the superstar. Some even theorized that the team's hiring of his former coach Scott Brooks this spring was solely an attempt to lure him home.

In the end, Durant didn't even speak with the Wizards, joining the Golden State Warriors instead. And while Brooks wouldn't talk much recently about why Durant may have avoided Washington, he says Durant earned the right to make the choice he did.

"Every player has that right to be a free agent," Brooks told The Vertical's Chris Mannix. "With KD he made the decision that was best for him and he did it. I have a lot of respect for him."

When pushed on whether some players have an aversion to playing in their home cities, Brooks conceded, "There's definitely pressures and distractions," but remained effusive in his praise for Durant.

"I'm happy that he's happy," Brooks said. "Kevin is an amazing teammate. The person that he is is better than the player that he is."

While Brooks has his own work cut out for him in returning the Wizards back to the playoffs after missing out last season, he said he'll have one eye on the West Coast when he has the chance.

"I'm excited to see how (the Warriors) play," he said. "That team on paper is going to be one of the greatest teams in the history of the game."