Kevin Durant had no interest in being traded anywhere this season and wasn’t simply avoiding a Warriors reunion, he told ESPN’s Malika Andrews (video link).
Golden State reportedly made numerous offers to the Suns for Durant prior to the trade deadline. Durant was “blindsided” that his name came up in trade talks and reportedly didn’t want a second stint with the Warriors. Head coach Steve Kerr said last week that he didn’t blame Durant for that stance.
“He took so much s— for like, ‘Oh, you’re jumping on the bandwagon,'” Kerr said. “And then he’s Finals MVP two years in a row. It’s like he still gets criticized. So why would he want to face all that B.S. again?
However, Durant says his motivation to stay put was about not wanting to be uprooted during the season.
“People talk crazy about me all the time,” Durant said when asked about Kerr’s comments. “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 (Green). 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.”
The Suns currently sit in 11th place in the Western Conference with a 26-28 record and had a three-game losing streak entering the All-Star break.
“We expect a lot out of ourselves individually and it just hasn’t materialized the way we want it to,” he said. “I know it’s disappointing to see us play this way. Our fans and people watching the game want more from us but you can’t think about it. We’ve got to think about the day ahead of us and trying to get better and figure out how we’re going to win the next game.”
It’s quite possible Durant’s name could come up in trade talks after the season. The 36-year-old forward remains one of the league’s premier players. His current contract runs out after next season.
“You have to ask the front office about that. I never planned on leaving or getting traded,” Durant said about the possibility of 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 expectation, 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 about the team. 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.”
Durant admits he thinks “all the time” about the end of his playing career. However, he still enjoys the grind and isn’t planning to hang up his uniform any time soon.
“I’m still having fun preparing for games, preparing for practices, being a good teammate, being coached,” he said. “I still enjoy all of that stuff. So, I don’t see an end right now.”
Slow news day during the All-Star break.
Kevin Durant sort of changing his tune here it seems. I’m OK that he was not comfortable coming back to the bay because of certain personalities, etc.
In a lot of relationships it’s hard to go back when the relationship has been fractured. No big deal.
But of course the diplomatic approach and wording is appreciated too. It’s all good with KD and I hope he does well in Phoenix.
I’m one of the few that appreciates his game, his various struggles to find peace, and sometimes frustration with fans perception of him.
But I thought he didnt want to play here because of Kerr. Davey said so so it must be true.
Gary this is just you having your fantasy about Draymond destroying this team being true, when it never was true. Has nothing to do with “personalities” and more “Kerr playing KD a dramatically-reduced MPG because he idiotically will not let anyone play 35+ on the regular, like he does with Curry.”
Stop hating your own team man, its corny, plus they give us plenty to hate IRL without making up whatever you think happens behind the scenes. Me? I used stats here to prove my point, case in point:
KD career avg 36.7 MPG.
KD GSW 3 seasons: 33.4, 34.2, 34.6.
Current MPG: 36.5.
Therefore, this says to me KD wants to average 36.something MPG. Kerr has never let Curry avg 35+ in the reg season, but also puts that restriction on all players, which is stupid, as 21 year olds with zero injury history can play more, as can KD, who also got injured anyway, proving the reason why mins restrictions exists is bunk. But Kerr would rather play 2way players and lose because of them stepping foot on the court on a court full of NBA players, instead of his top players, a terrible move that has ruined the last 3 years. Therefore Kerr is the ONLY problem with KD coming back to the Bay. Always has been.
KD heard all the cheers and love from warrior fans so now he has had a change of heart. OKC fans were 100% disrespectful to him when he left. KD misses playing with Curry.
I agree. I love KD, I hate on him ONLY for leaving GSW. That’s his worst career move for both the Dubs and himself. What did he get playing for the Nets and Suns after all that? Nothing. Suns still tried to make him part of a superteam anyway, which is one of the rumors as to why he left GSW, was to be “#1” on a team. KD stupid for leaving GSW but he can still rectify that! There’s still time!
So, your belief about Steve Kerr’s personality destroying the Warriors is false.
What a load of bollocks.
cry some more, it will help you
Durant being Durant. I’ve grown to hate him. That’s hyperbolic of course, I’m not a psycho, but I couldn’t care less about anything that dude says. He’s just so selfish. A team killer. Not a winner.
except on gsw, where he won 2 out of 3 and nearly 3/3 championships, so….nah
Exactly. Where they won 2 more without him. He was the best player but it wasn’t his team. He might have won 2 more if he stayed. If he really valued winning. He never won anywhere else when the team was his.
Steph and Dray would have 7 rings right now if KD stayed and/or GSW fired Kerr.
Don’t be ridiculous Davey. Klay and Durant did suffer massive injuries.
Stop it already.
nope
So, -offseason- trades ARE considered? He is breaking!!
If GSW can sneak another title with Jimmy, then flip Jimmy for KD a couple months later, the rest of the NBA will be crying so hard for the next 3 seasons, at least. Especially if GSW can keep their youth squad and get KD for only like, Butler+Buddy+picks.
What if the warriors acquired KD and klay in the off-season and got them to accept pay cuts and signed Demarcus cousins to a vet minimum
I actually thought that the warriors would trade Wiggins for klay at the deadline since he isn’t doing well in Dallas
KD would never take less money though and same with curry
KD is currently the best player in OKC Thunder history, he’s the best senior men’s player in USA basketball history, probably the best in all of FIBA history, he’s top5 best Warrior ever, he’s prob gonna end up as a top5 scorer in NBA history but is he also the best freshman in NCAA basketball history? Was/is ADavis, Rose, Flagg, Melo better?… link to m.youtube.com
Best shooting big ever, best player ever from DMV
He’s not top 5 best Warriors ever, he only played 200 games for them.
Curry, Chamberlain, Barry, Arizin, Mullin, Klay, Dray all clear KD/GSW. That could change if he rejoins though…
How many playoff series did Mullin win with GSW? I count the great Jazz/Ws series when he was a rookie/role player & that’s it. KD brought em 2 titles. He’s top5 easy
Sorry man, but KD aint better than Steph, Wilt, Rick or even ‘poppin Paul, if we are talking Warriors years only.
Dray and Klay got more rings than KD.
Mullin was OG Dream Team, the very best of the best, in the MJ era! Put some respect on his name.
KD was not top 5 Warriors, the Warriors aren’t a broke franchise, they have a proper history, they aren’t going to have some 200 game guy in their historical top 5, you are so wrong here its hilarious.
I’ll give you Steph & Barry. I’ve seen the name Arizin but idk anything about him. I got much respect for Mullin. He’s clearly not KD. He prob shouldn’t have been on the dream team but he’s definitely a great scoring forward. When talking about the all-time best Warriors let’s never forget that KD played on the same team as Klay/Dray & was clearly better. Those guys have the longevity, KD has the Finals MVPs & is just clearly the better player.
200 games played shouldnt be on any teams top 5, let alone the Warriors with their storied history.
He played 256 with them & let’s not act like that franchise wasn’t a laughingstock before they drafted Steph
@sankara, the Warriors were Wilt Chamberlain’s team, hardly a “laughingstock”. They were that between 1993-2013 for sure, but they have the 3rd most titles in NBA history. Insane you would write them off.
Paul Arizin was on the top 75 team. You should know him. Wild you would admit ignorance on Warriors history and then call them a laughingstock and know no players other than KD and Steph. Laughingstock? Nah, that’s your take on this.
KD isn’t a center I never called him a big
The best shooting true big is dirk
Dirk clearly is also not a center
And KD continues to be better than Dirk
7 feet tall
That’s not a power forward
I thought that BEFORE Durant signed with the Warriors, he was ALREADY an all time NBA great (four scoring titles, etc). Maybe the most versatile scorer ever.
The evaluation of the Butler trade and a possible Durant being traded in the off season will both be determined by how the Warriors and Suns do the rest of the year. While the Suns will no doubt want a bushel of picks for KD, few teams will be able to match his salary in a trade, but the W’s can if they offer Butler for him (whom the Suns want). We shall see how the rest of the season goes for both teams.
Lacob and Warrior fans best case scenario is:
1. win title with Jimmy
2. immediately trade Jimmy for KD
3. win more titles with Steph and KD leading the way
4. Curry retires with more rings than MJ
5. at some point, Dray retires and immediately takes over for Kerr as HC
lol how about we crawl before we griddy & focus on making the play-in
it says “best case scenario” right there buddy, pretty clearly.
KD has been trying to prove himself to Warriors and Bron. Ever since he left OKC. Fact is GMKD sucks. Has made every team he orgainzed and went to worse ……..
Nets —— Suns ……. Should be praying for Thunder to go after him next yr. Then finally have something on Bron ………. yeah I said it.
This is for all the geniuses who blasted Knicks for not getting KD and Kyrie. And I mean media and experts. And to ALL of them …. All of them
Knicks will have a chip before KD or Kyrie. So thank you for all your Words …. Now STFU ……
EEEEeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyyyYYY Fuggedaboutit
Suns didn’t want anything Warriors have. It’s that simple. This is a business. Not a feel good story.
Thunder do have the assets the Suns would want. Now this would be a better story and ending. Bring the first one to OKC. End the career there. Finally have something on Bron………,
Kd is done for… he just needs to make his final pit stop to washington… come home.
I really enjoy these comments. Laughed out loud at some – might be intentional. I feel like I should participate: In the off season, Warriors pick up Wemby and Holiday and then win it all the next three years ;)
KD knows he cant busride a weak GSW…he rather busride with Boston Celtics for another easy chip.
That would not surprise me. But he also mentioned he’s considering Europe. Maybe he’ll play for one of those superstar teams and add two Euro championships to his resume?
I used to like Steve Kerr. He now just simps for washed up has-beens.
What?
Who’s a washed up has been on the Warriors? Maybe Graymond but I think he’s still very effective and necessary to this particular team because of his defense, passing ability, and grit.
Curry is not washed up and Butler has a lot to give still. I think the playoffs will be interesting and I think the Warriors are primed for success at this point.
So are you talking about Kevin Durant? He’s hardly washed up as well. He’ll probably have two more very good years.
I really don’t understand your comment, do you care to elaborate?
Thought it was obvious that I was talking about KD
da60435, I don’t think KD is washed up so it wasn’t obvious to me.
In fact because of his size and skill, he may last longer than any of the names I mentioned above lol. He’s the last guy who would be considered washed up.
I never liked Steve Kerr, it’s easy to coach Steph in his prime and everyone knows it. Luke Walton had the Warriors cooking more than Kerr ever did.
KD we all know you have good reasons to not want to work with Draymond again…
No need to sugar coat it… You want a chance to win and not get punched…