Kevin Durant shocked everybody when he requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets a couple of hours before free agency opened. The 2x NBA champion appeared to be ready to run it back at Barclays Center, but things took a turn for the worst, with Durant asking to leave the Brooklynites after just three seasons with them.
Following this decision, many people have talked about it, some supporting and others attacking KD. Fans and analysts are constantly discussing this situation, and even former players have chimed in on this, giving another perspective to this request.
While Scottie Pippen sided with Durant recently, Dominique Wilkins has a different opinion regarding the KD saga. Instead of supporting him, he criticized the former MVP’s decision, saying that he’d like to see players honoring their contracts and staying with their franchises.
Dominique Wilkins on Kevin Durant requesting a trade out of Brooklyn: “I’m cut from the old school cloth. At some point, players are going to have to realize that no matter the trials and tribulations you go through, you got to hang in there and stick it out.” pic.twitter.com/ayEM9vE6Pu
— Wenzell Ortiz (@wenzellortiz) July 15, 2022
“I’m cut from the old school cloth,” Wilkins explained, via Wenzell Ortiz of Sideline Sources. “At some point, players are going to have to realize that no matter some of the trials and tribulations you go through, you got to hang in there and stick it out. We are paid to provide a service for our franchise and so I would like to see guys sticking and hanging with those franchises a little longer.
“Yeah, a lot went on in Brooklyn; a lot of moving parts that didn’t quite click or come together. So I can understand [Kevin Durant’s] frustration — believe me I can understand his frustration. But sometimes, you know, you don’t want to leave one situation to go to a worse situation. That’s the chance you take.”
KD’s decision has stirred the pot in the community. Everybody has something to say about this and this won’t change anytime soon. The Nets have a lot in their hands right now with Durant and Kyrie Irving, and even though some think they both will stay on the team until opening night, things could change at any moment.
Durant’s decisions are constantly criticized, but that’s something he’s gotten used to after all these years.
