Suns forward Kevin Durant admitted he was “blindsided” that his name came up in trade talks prior to last week’s deadline, according to Doug Haller of The Athletic.
However, he took the news diplomatically.
“Everybody’s bought and sold in this league,’’ Durant said. “Anybody can be up for auction. I understand that.”
Durant’s name surfaced in trade rumors after negotiations between the Heat and Suns regarding a potential Jimmy Butler deal stalled, mainly due to Miami’s unwillingness to take on Bradley Beal‘s contract. Butler ultimately landed with Golden State, while Durant and Beal stayed put. Durant reportedly balked at the idea of a second stint with the Warriors.
Durant tried to put a positive step on the process.
“It’s not a bad thing that people around the league want me to play for them,” Durant said, according to the Associated Press. “It’s not a bad thing my organization here is fighting off people to keep me on the team or even dangle me in a trade. It’s part of being in high demand.”
Phoenix reportedly might explore the possibility of moving Durant during this offseason. The Suns and Durant could also explore a two-year veteran extension. Durant is earning $51.2MM in 2024/25, followed by $54.7MM in ’25/26.
Durant is now concerned that the focus on him will intensify the remainder of the season, due to the trade rumors and speculation about what will happen this summer.
“I always had a goal of just playing my contract out and seeing what happens,’’ Durant said. per Haller. “I can’t focus on a year-and-a-half down the line. I know that will be a topic. That’s probably the most frustrating part about being in trade talks is that the microscope is going to be on solely just me the rest of the season. My body language. How I speak to (news reporters) after the game. How I’m looking on the bench. That stuff will be magnified, which sucks.”
Durant also addressed a report by ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne that described the team’s locker room as toxic.
“I think it’s unfair and lazy to categorize our team as toxic when you come in there for five minutes throughout four months,” Durant said, per a Yahoo Sports tweet.
Durant hasn’t played since last Monday due to an ankle injury but is expected to return for Phoenix’s home game on Tuesday night against Memphis. He is 26 points from becoming the eighth NBA player to reach 30,000 career points.
Teams call on every player. GMs smelled blood in the water because of Beal. If Durant is upset at anyone it should be directed at Bradley Beal, bc of him, the Trade Durant idea grew legs. Otherwise, this never comes up. Beal is the villain.
The villain is Mat Ishbia. What’s Beal supposed to do, retire for the team’s sake? Nah, screw the Suns. They willingly traded for him AND his contract.
Lol Beal has nothing to do with this. KD cant be traded or negotiated in a deal if the SUNS dont make him available, which they did. Not Bradley Beal, but the Phoenix Suns organization.
Kinda pathetic trying to put this on Beal.
“He took the news diplomatically.”
Durant: compares trade talks to modern-day slavery.
2 months from now… KD demands trade to Toronto…
But he is a highly paid player. He must be wonderful. He is so dreamy.
Yikes. The parallels between the deadline and “auctions” (yes everyone understood the underlying sentiment) is always a little crazy near this time. But for KD to put it in those words is hilarious.
Elite Cupcake…started a new genre of players called “Journeyman All Star Bus Rider” definitely 1b player.
But if he goes back to OKC Thunder and win a chip. All is forgiven and he will be my favorite player again
lol up for auction get real you freakin psychopath
yup nba is a modern plantation exploiting black excellence. similar dynamics to diamond mines in africa
Do those diamond mines pay it workers in the top 1% of the global population?
You are smoking crack!! Diamond miners are paid in the top 1%?? The average salary in the US is $55k. That’s lower middle class. In Sierra Leone, they make $.65 an hour…Definitely not 1%.