Kevin Durant dropped out of Team USA over Under Armour deal?

Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USA Team White guard Kevin Durant (52) watches USA Team Blue defender Mason Plumlee (35) while dribbling the ball during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USA Team White guard Kevin Durant (52) watches USA Team Blue defender Mason Plumlee (35) while dribbling the ball during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kevin Durant is one of the most popular players on the planet which means that endorsement deals are huge for not only Durant but for the company that can sign him to a deal.

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That’s what Under Armour is trying to do right now as the company is trying to secure it’s biggest client and it’s something that may have pulled Durant from playing for his country in the World Cup this month. While mental exhaustion was the reason given for his leaving Team USA, it appears that the Under Armor deal — or the one that is being worked on — served as more of a primary motivating factor.

Darnell Mayberry discussed as much in his lunch chat on Tuesday afternoon, stating that we don’t know the real reason Durant left Team USA but Under Armour is more than a likely culprit.

"I think it has more to do with Under Armour than rest.He handled it poorly. Plain and simple. He backed out of his commitment and left the team in a bad spot. There is absolutely nothing wrong with anyone calling him out for that."

Durant pulling out of Team USA for business reasons isn’t justification to hate him but like Mayberry says, you don’t have to hate Durant to call him out on something he did wrong and is trying to skate around.

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