In a recent appearance on NBA Today, Warriors star Kevin Durant set the record straight on rejecting a return to the Golden State Warriors this season. Contrary to the popular theories, Durant clarified that his reason for turning down the trade had nothing to do with the Warriors or anyone on it.
“People talk crazy about me all the time,” Durant told ESPN’s Malika Andrews. “That’s not the reason why I didn’t come back. I just didn’t want to get traded midway through the season. It was nothing against my time with the Warriors, or I heard it was because I don’t like Draymond. At the end of the day, I just didn’t want to move. And I wanted to see it through with my team in Phoenix. And see what we can do through the rest of the season, so I’m glad I’m still there.”
Kevin Durant, 36, was on the trade block this summer despite never asking for a trade. Set to make $105 million in the next two years, Kevin was content to remain with the Suns but trust has broken with the front office and now changes are all but expected.
“You have to ask the front office about that. I never planned on leaving or getting traded. I didn’t ask for a trade from Phoenix. But, obviously, when you pay so much for a team and we’re not playing up to our expectations, someone has to go. Probably should check in with those guys in the front office throughout the rest of the season to see how they’re feeling. I know I’m going to try to keep bringing my best every single day. I’ll let the higher-ups focus on what’s next.”
Kevin Durant won two titles in three years with the Warriors (2017 and 2018) before he left in the summer of 2019. After five and a half seasons, the Warriors were in a position to reunite with Durant before he shut it down.
In an effort to rebuild the dynasty, the Warriors were prepared to give up a lot and reportedly offered a massive package including Jimmy Butler and a haul of draft picks.
Initially, sources pointed to Draymond Green as the source of Durant’s problem with the Warriors. While Green was the first to recruit Durant all those years ago, they had a major falling out that made things uncomfortable for the organization.
If you ask Steve Kerr, he’ll tell you that Durant made the right choice not to return. After the backlash that Kevin faced when he first joined, Kerr argued that it wouldn’t be worth it for him to come back and face that scrutiny all over again.
In reality, Durant was against another mid-season move and it makes sense when you think about how he got to Phoenix. In the 2022-23 campaign, Durant played 39 games for the Nets before he was traded for Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, and four unprotected future first-round picks.
Knowing what kind of circus a trade in February could bring, Durant used his power to ensure it did not happen but it doesn’t mean that a reunion is out of the question. Now that we know Kevin has nothing against the Warriors, there would be nothing stopping them from making an offer for him if/when he becomes available this summer.
With averages of 27.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game this season, Kevin Durant is one of the best players in the NBA and he’s not yet done chasing championships. Alongside Steph Curry and Draymond Green again, he could pull off the impossible and resurrect a historic dynasty.
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