With the conclusion of the 2015-2016 NBA season ending in a huge loss for the reining champions, the Golden State Warriors, to the new champions the Cleveland Cavaliers, recent NBA news surrounds free agents.

Since no one has to worry about LeBron James leaving northeast Ohio anytime soon, all the buzz has surrounded free agent, Kevin Durant, of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

As we know, KD has chosen to leave Oklahoma City and move to Oakland to join the Warriors on their quest to dominate the basketball scene.

Perhaps the deal was foreshadowed. All the signs were there, but no one saw it coming.

When the Warriors won their fourth game of the Western Conference Finals; Durant, shook hands with Draymond Green, Steph Curry, and Harrison Barnes. Durant was also the last to leave the court and took a moment for himself on the baseline. Perhaps taking a moment to recognize his new potential "home" court, 1,500 miles from OKC.

A lot of criticism surrounds Durant stemming from his announcement to leave Oklahoma City. While I personally believe that a winning a championship in OKC would be more meaningful to Durant, who are we to decide what's best for his career? And if staying in OKC is what is best for KD, then why are we criticizing the player and not the franchise who couldn't fight to keep him.

Let's start with a short sports history lesson in which you will not be graded.

The year is 2007 and Kevin Durant was drafted by the SeattleSuperSonics as the second overall draft pick, only behind Greg Oden. Who is Greg Oden? He plays in China or something now, so his name is mostly trivial.

Under Head Coach P.J. Carlesimo, Durant was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in the 2007-2008 season for his outstanding stats in his first year as a professional basketball player.

The next season, the SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City and became the Thunder; a move that angered the rainy city of Seattle. That same year, Russell Westbrook was drafted fourth overall and joined Durant on the Thunder.

Under Head Coach Scott Brooks, Westbrook was named the NBA Rookie of the year in 2008-2009 season for his outstanding stats in his first year as a professional basketball player.

No, I did not stutter. It was blatantly clear that the rookies were destined to build OKC into a team to be reckoned with.

In a game in which skill is important, I would argue that chemistry is of greater importance. The chemistry between Durant and Westbrook lead them to the playoffs for five straight seasons, missing 2015, but making it to the Western Conference Finals this past season.

Their chemistry is now comparable to that of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen since Durant and Westbrook became the first pair of teammates to both score over 40 points in a game, since that of the famous Bulls duo in '96.

Aside from Nick Collison who has been with the team since 2003, the duo is just about the only constant that they team has had since the move to Oklahoma City.

So before you criticize Durant, criticize a franchise who failed to keep one of the most dynamic pairs in basketball, together on a team.

Criticize a franchise that is now on their third head coach (Billy Donovan) since the team moved to OKC in 2008.

Criticize a franchise that would trade a player like James Harden to the Houston Rockets after he helped lead the team to their first NBA Finals in 2012 since leaving Seattle, and ultimately setting the team back years in championship progress.

And finally criticize a franchise who has gotten so close to the championship, so many times, but has ultimately failed to offer KD the team he needs to get the ring.

After all, it don't mean a thing, if you ain't got that bling.

So I ask Oklahoma City: Haven't you all learned anything from the history of burning jerseys of your team's icon when Cleveland did the same to LeBron?

Of course, losing the star player of your team is a tremendous blow, but to disrespect a player who built a team from the roots up, is unacceptable.

To disregard a player who has given so much to a franchise that has ultimately taken away his chance of winning a championship, with trades such as that of James Harden to the Rockets, is distasteful.

And to deny a player his legacy in his crusade to be named along the greats, is repugnant.

Durant has made it clear that joining the Warriors is not a move for money, but for a better chance at winning a championship.

If we look at his professional basketball career as we see all other careers, then who are we to tell someone what is best for them?

So you can criticize him by saying that Durant's career would benefit more by staying in OKC and winning a championship would mean more to him if it was with the team he began his career with, but who are we to tell someone else what's best for their career? It's HIS career and no one else gets to decide.

That being said, I know that no matter where he goes, no matter what color jersey he wears and no matter the number on his back, Kevin Durant and will always be known as one of the best of his generation.

I also know that the city Seattle can't stop grinning with mockery.