During the NBA”s annual ‘Media Day’ event on Monday, Kevin Durant had to face the music after a summer of chaos and turmoil with the Nets. Remember, it was Durant who asked for a trade after getting swept in the first round before later making an ultimatum to Nets owner Joe Tsai.
In the end, KD had to return to the team after the Nets failed to find a deal, and today was our first time seeing him back with them since the whole debacle went down. He was even asked about why he made the trade request in the first place:
“It was a lot of uncertainty around our team last year,” Durant said. “I committed to this organization for 4 years last summer with the idea that we were gonna be playing with that group (KD Kyrie & James Harden).”
Kevin Durant on why he made the trade request: "It was a lot of uncertainty around our team last year. I committed to this organization for 4 years last summer with the idea that we were gonna be playing with that group (KD Kyrie & James Harden)."
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) September 26, 2022
It’s not hard to blame Durant for losing faith in the Nets. When he signed his extension, he was under the belief he’d be playing with Kyrie and James Harden for years to come. Still, his excuse didn’t do much to quell the angry fans.
Kevin Durant Gets Blasted By Fans After Explaining His Trade Request
Naturally, not everyone was so quick to buy into Durant’s excuses. No matter how he tries to spin it, he will not be able to escape the fact that he went back on his commitment and it’s going to be hard for many o trust him again.
On Twitter, users made sure to let him know how they feel.
Needs a super team 🤣🤣
— G (@Shugo_Primo) September 26, 2022
It sort of makes sense…but at the same time, when harden left last season…kd dissed him pretty bad with the whole all star draft thing, seemed like he didn't even want him there
— someone random (@ky_phiIi) September 26, 2022
Bro wants a superteam so bad 💀💀 https://t.co/gMji05FivV
— KoBron Lakers Fan 🐍🐐 (@LakersLFG) September 26, 2022
if it’s not a superteam, he don’t want it https://t.co/VITo09pUVl
— SJ (@SJBasketball8) September 26, 2022
a reporter should’ve responded: so you quit when the going gets tough? https://t.co/bd6XUGHuAD
— 𝐜𝐚𝐭🌻 (@soursharleezy) September 26, 2022
Translation: "y'all started talking about trading Kyrie and I wasn't having that shit" https://t.co/AMYFOrGZgS
— nittygrittysportstalk (@nittygritty410) September 26, 2022
On paper, the Nets have a roster that can win it all. With Durant, Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons, Patty Mills, Nic Claxton, and Seth Curry, they have a stacked core group that can compete against anyone.
So why would Durant want to leave all of that? Had he simply moved past all the in-season drama, and worked on his game in the summer, the world might be talking about the Nets in a different light this fall.
Instead, they are the subject of uncertainty as the world waits to see how their players will mesh. It’s obviously not an ideal situation for Durant, but it’s where he finds himself starting out this season.
For his sake, his response better be swift and decisive.
