Kendrick Perkins doesn’t think Kevin Durant should stick around to watch the Oklahoma City Thunder’s big night.
Speaking on ESPN, the former NBA big man said it would be tough for Durant to stand on the court as his former team raises its first championship banner and celebrates Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the player Perkins called the best franchise star in Thunder history, receiving his championship ring.
“[Kevin Durant] in OKC, the fans have yet to give him a round of applause for returning,” said Perkins on NBA Today. “The great KD has to walk into that building and watch not only the franchise he left raise their first banner, but also watch the best franchise player ever (SGA) get his ring,” Perkins said. “It’s going to be smoke in the city. If I’m KD, I’m going in the back. I don’t want to watch it. If I’m KD, I come with the mindset that I want to upset them and spoil their big ring ceremony night.”
Since departing the Warriors in 2019, Kevin Durant has bounced around to several different teams. After stints with the Nets and Suns, he finds himself in Houston as part of a Rockets team with big ambitions in the West.
Before Durant can lead his teammates to success next season, however, he’ll have to show up on opening night, where he will be in attendance to witness his original team raise a championship banner. Back in 2007, Durant was drafted by the organization (formerly known as the Seattle SuperSonics), and he spent his first 9 years there. To date, it’s the longest he’s ever stayed on an NBA roster.
Durant became a bona fide superstar in Oklahoma City. He even won an MVP in 2014 with averages of 32.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game on 50.3% shooting. Alongside Russell Westbrook, he elevated the Thunder to a position of power in the West, and they were a regular playoff threat (Finals run in 2012).
Everything changed in 2016, however, after the Thunder collapsed in the playoffs after going up 3-1 in the Western Conference Finals. It was the final straw for Durant, who saw it as the final sign to leave the Thunder behind. He joined the Warriors a few months later, and the rest is history.
Over the years, Durant has had plenty of showdowns against Oklahoma City, but he’s never had to watch them celebrate a championship before. Opening night this October will mark a historic moment for the 2x champion as he attends the ring ceremony on the very court he used to play. Had he never left, Durant might have been able to join them in the festivities. Instead, his only hope for redemption is to spoil their big day and hand them their first loss of the season.
For Durant, October’s opener won’t just be another game, it will be a collision of past and present, pride and regret. Whether he chooses to watch the banner go up or head straight to the locker room, the moment will be a reminder of what he left behind and what still drives him: the pursuit of another championship, this time on someone else’s court.
