Warriors Bringing Out Big Guns for Kevin Durant Proves They Know They're Lost Without Him

Buckle up, everybody. We are roughly 24 hours away from the most enticing NBA summer in a LONG time. For now, however, let's zero in on Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors.

Basketball fans outside of Oakland have been waiting for the 2019 offseason ever since KD opted to dismantle the balance of the Association and sign with the Warriors back in 2016. The two-time Finals MVP transformed the Dubs into an unstoppable freight train that would probably would have steam-rolled the Raptors if he were on the court for more than one quarter.

Without him, Golden State crashed and burned at the hands of Kawhi Leonard and Co. and now Steph Curry and Klay Thompson know they need to keep Durant around as both superstars plan to attend the franchise's final pitch to do so.

Honestly, if Steph and Klay were that confident in their ability to run it back without No.35 would they really find it necessary to join GM Bob Myers at the meeting? Absolutely not.

Yes, they won a title prior to his arrival. And yes, a core of Steph, Klay, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala could make some serious noise next season. Durant's presence, however, propels them to an assertive force that the league just hasn't seen before.

Golden State hasn't personified that level of dominance since their historic 2015 campaign -- a level that they only showed in spurts against Toronto in the Finals without Durant -- backing the widely popular notion that they are lost without him on the floor.

And the details of this ever-important meeting proves it.