On July 4, 2016, Kevin Durant's shocking decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Golden State Warriors reshaped the NBA landscape. Just a month prior, the Thunder were on the brink of reaching the NBA Finals, leading the Warriors 3-1 in the Western Conference Finals. The sudden transition from championship aspirations to a closed title window left fans reeling. Durant's departure marked the end of an era for the Thunder, losing their franchise player, yet they have found renewed hope.

Fast forward to now, the Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, recently clinched their first NBA championship, eclipsing the pain of Durant's exit. While Durant secured back-to-back titles with the Warriors, he has faced challenges with the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns. Currently, he seeks a fresh start with the Houston Rockets, while the Thunder emerge as perennial contenders, suggesting that they may indeed have the last laugh in this saga.