Kevin Durant didn’t hold back when discussing the shocking trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks. Speaking to reporters after the Phoenix Suns‘ game, Durant called out the transactional nature of the NBA and how teams make bold moves without loyalty being a consideration.
When asked about his reaction to the blockbuster deal, Kevin Durant was visibly stunned.
“Insane. It’s crazy—crazy. Yeah, I would have never thought Luka Doncic would get traded at this age, midseason. The NBA is a wild place, man. If he can get traded, then anybody’s up for grabs.”
“So, for the fans, by spectating, it’s pretty fun. I know it’s probably kind of nerve-wracking for Luka and everybody in Dallas, LA, AD—everybody involved. I’m sure their heads are spinning right now.”
That sentiment encapsulates the sheer unpredictability of the move. Doncic, widely regarded as one of the most talented young superstars in the league, had just led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals last season. Seeing him moved at just 25 years old, in the middle of a season, sent shockwaves through the league.
Durant also used the opportunity to call out the hypocrisy in how loyalty is perceived in the NBA.
“It’s always been transactional. You know, we—the players—are held to a different standard of loyalty and commitment to a program. But the organizations don’t get held to that same standard from the outside world, whether from media members or fans.
“And we all should be held to that same standard. Like, it’s a transactional game. There’s a lot of money involved, a lot of business involved, too.”
“So we shouldn’t be too shocked about trades, with guys moving to different teams, coaches moving to different teams. It’s just the nature of playing basketball and us making this much money in the long term.”
“So, it’s pretty wild times, man, especially around trade deadlines. I know everybody’s going to be watching their phone the next few weeks—next week. We got five days. I know everybody’s going to be following the updates.”
“So, yeah, it’s crazy.”
When asked whether this move shifts the balance of power, Durant acknowledged the massive impact.
“Yeah, we got two. You got Luka, LeBron, Reaves. You got Reaves, AD, Gafford, Lively—shit. Yeah, it’s just the balance. So many great players, two great players just got moved. It’s just—man, I just can’t wait to see it all on the floor and see, you know.”
“Hear from both of them too. I know that first time talking to them will be a different time, you know, so—wow.”
He also compared the situation to his own experience, reflecting on how losing a key player after making the Finals can reshape a team’s identity.
“Yeah, man. Yeah. I mean, yeah, I dealt with that too coming out of the finals when you trade a huge part of your team. And it just—it just takes something away. It takes something away. It takes your identity away, especially when you’ve had success.”
“You know, you’ve got to kind of reshape the team and figure out who you are as a unit with a new guy coming in. But we have veteran players over there. Kyrie’s a champ already. AD’s a champ, so I’m sure he’ll figure it out pretty quickly.”
“But it’s the nature of the sport, man. Anything can happen, man. Keeps you on edge.”
When asked if this move would push other teams to make big trades, Durant was confident it would.
“For sure. For sure. I mean, when you start seeing stuff like that, you, as an organization, might get a little bit more courage to do some stuff. When you see another team trade away somebody like that, it’s got to be the biggest trade I’ve seen since I’ve been in the league or since I’ve been watching the sport. This is insane.”
“So yeah, every other team might get confidence and say, ‘F**k it, I’ll trade my top players. A few of my top players. F**k it, this ain’t working.'”
“But yeah, I’m still shocked.”
Durant then shared a hilarious story about how he first learned of the trade, and his live reaction spoke volumes.
“A couple of fans on they phone during the game in the fourth quarter said Luka got traded. I’m like, ‘What the f**k?’ My security guy showed me his phone, and I see Shams. Once Shams tweeted—like I said—crazy, crazy, crazy league. Looking forward to the next couple of days.”
"Insane. It's crazy, crazy."
Kevin Durant on mega Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade.
"Players are held to a different standard of loyalty and commitment to a program but the organizations don't get held to that same standard from the outside."
On teams following suit before Feb.… pic.twitter.com/DekP4eRN6N
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 2, 2025
The Luka-AD trade has officially shaken up the NBA landscape, and if Kevin Durant’s reaction is any indication, this might just be the start of a chaotic week ahead.
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