Kevin Durant had ‘no choice’ but to leave Team USA because of ‘contractual situation’

When Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant decided to leave Team USA, many were taken aback.

More from Kevin Durant

• Steph Curry still defends Kevin Durant: ‘Most misunderstood dude’ in the NBA
• Spicy Kevin Durant returns, argues with random NBA fans on Twitter
• Kevin Durant’s latest Tweet comes with a hilarious challenge for fans
• The new NBA flopping rules explained
• Is Kevin Durant playing tonight? Latest injury update for Suns vs. Timberwolves

The 2013-14 NBA MVP will not play when Team USA travels when the club travels to Spain for the FIBA World Cup. Team USA has already lost Indiana Pacers’ forward Paul George to a fractured leg and had several of their stars, including Cleveland Cavaliers’ forward LeBron James, already decide to sit out.

Some were surprised by Durant’s decision while USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said he wasn’t surprised at all.

According to Jay Cohen of the Associated Press, who spoke to Colangelo, Durant had “no choice” but to leave Team USA and it was “contractual.”

Durant averaged 32.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 50.3% from the floor, 39.1% from beyond the arc and 87.3% from the charity stripe during the regular season. Then, he averaged 29.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 46.0% from the field, 34.4.1% from beyond the arc and 81.0% from the free throw line in the postseason. In his career, he’s averaged 27.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 47.9% from the field, 37.7% from three and 88.2% from the field.

Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league all summer long.