Nets superstar Kevin Durant finally called off his trade attempt on Tuesday when he met with Joe Tsai, Sean Marks, and Steve Nash to discuss his future with the organization.
With practically zero leverage in the situation, Durant decided it was best to just cut the nonsense and return to play for another season with the team.
On First Take this morning, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith became one of the latest big names in the media to react to the news, and he wasn’t surprised at all.
Here’s what he said on the whole thing:
‘Notice that they said ‘Steve Nash and I.’ Remember, Kevin Durant wanted them gone, according to reports. He could have said the Brooklyn Nets and Kevin Durant agreed to stay. No, he ‘we with our ownership met with Kevin Durant in LA’ to let y’all know he ain’t going no damn place. That’s all that means. They ain’t breaking news, y’all. Stay your a** right there. You got four years, $198 million and before one day is honored, you’re asking out? No. I gave you Kyrie, I gave you DeAndre Jordan, I gave you Steve Nash, and everything else in between. When healthy, you are the best player on the planet. When all of y’all are bought in, we are a legit top three, top four team in the NBA who could win the chip. Where the hell are you going? You ain’t going no damn where. So all of this news is nice, we’re touched. You have a contract, you have four years. You ain’t going no place… Kevin Durant is phenomenal. I ain’t giving him up!”
.@stephenasmith predicted KD would stay with the Nets 👀
"Kevin Durant is phenomenal. I ain't giving him up!"
(via @FirstTake) pic.twitter.com/q4YeQbjVYr
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 23, 2022
Even in today’s player-empowered era, Durant wasn’t in the best position to make demands. He has four years left on his deal, turns 34 next month, and has a history of flaking on teams in the past.
For now, KD is staying put, and it’s exactly how it should be. But don’t be surprised if trade talks pick back up before the deadline, especially if there’s a sense that Kyrie Irving isn’t willing to negotiate a new deal.
