It was not a surprise whatsoever when the NBA decided to have the Warriors face Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets in the season opener Dec. 22.
KD played for Golden State for three seasons from 2016 to 2019, and was named NBA Finals MVP in 2017 and 2018 when the Dubs won the title.
Rather than re-sign with the Warriors and call Chase Center home, the 10-time NBA All-Star chose to join the Nets in free agency in the summer of 2019.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
"There's no narrative at all. It's just a regular basketball game," Durant said Thursday on his "the etcs w/ KD" podcast. "I don't care too much about that drama that comes with that former team (and) all that stuff.
"I've been through that with OKC, so I'm not trying to do that with Golden State. I love everybody there. It's just another game."
Download and subscribe to the Dubs Talk Podcast
Golden State Warriors
Find the latest Golden State Warriors news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.
But when you consider the fact that the 2013-14 NBA MVP will be playing in his first real game since tearing his Achilles tendon in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals vs. the Toronto Raptors, it definitely is not just another game.
"Yeah that part -- I'm excited about playing," KD said. "To play some familiar faces is definitely going to be cool that first go-around.
"Being away from the game for so long, I'm looking forward to it."
RELATED: Wiseman's trainer explains best part of Warriors rookie's game
Durant is scheduled to return to the Bay Area in mid-February, as the Warriors will host the Nets on Valentine's Day Eve.