Kevin Durant is hoping he won’t get a harsh reception from Warriors fans during All-Star Weekend, writes Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. The Suns star ended hopes for a potential three-team trade last week when he said he didn’t want to return to the Bay Area. Durant, who was named Finals MVP while leading Golden State to championships in 2017 and 2018, pointed that he has “a couple of murals in that arena.”
“For a couple of days, I know it’s going to be hard, but for a couple of days, you can forget about how I left the Warriors or how I came to the Warriors or me not wanting to go back to the Warriors and just appreciate the weekend,” he said. “Appreciate the players that’s there and hopefully people can get off that (expletive) and just appreciate basketball.”
More than his All-Star reception, Durant is concerned about salvaging the season for the Suns, who are currently 11th in the West at 26-28, a game and a half away from the play-in tournament. Phoenix dropped three straight games heading into the break and will need a strong finish against a difficult schedule to reach the top 10.
“Hopefully everybody gets their minds clear, enjoy their break with their families, get their bodies right and then come back and put our foot on the gas and try to get this thing turned around,” Durant said.
There’s more from Phoenix:
- Last week’s trade to the Suns means former EuroLeague star Vasilije Micic is on his third team since coming to the NBA in 2023, Rankin notes in a separate story. Although there have been rumors that he will consider returning to Europe this summer, Micic tells Rankin he’s fully committed to making things work in Phoenix. “Honestly, I never considered going back to Europe as long as I had a contract in the NBA,” he said. “The reason I came here was definitely for my own challenge, coming out of the comfort zone. I always expect something like this, but as long as I have an NBA contract, I’ll be 100% dedicated to this.”
- Cody Martin, who was acquired from Charlotte in the same trade with Micic, has been a long-time target of general manager James Jones, Rankin adds. Jones scouted Martin when he was in college at Nevada and has remained interested in adding him to the roster. Martin has been sidelined since January 24 with a sports hernia, and the Suns are hoping he can return shortly after the All-Star break. “It’s never a good feeling working your way out of stuff,” he said, “but I think the biggest thing is that it’s just part of the game. Just figuring out how to get over the hump and getting back as soon as you can.”
- Coming off an 11-point game on Wednesday night, two-way player TyTy Washington will get to showcase his skills at Sunday’s NBA G League Next Up Game, Rankin states in another piece. The 23-year-old point guard is trying to establish himself as an NBA player after moving around frequently since being selected with the 29th pick in the 2022 draft. “Good opportunity,” he said of this weekend’s event. “A lot of NBA people are going to be there. A lot of All-Stars are going to be out there. Just go out there and keep that in the back of my mind. Playing not only for myself, but for my team and for everybody else that’s watching.”
I mean, KD leaving GSW and then refusing to re-join them only makes his original choice to leave look even dumber. KD leaving GSW the first time was pure idiocy. He turned down winning 5+ rings to play on the Nets and Suns, two teams with no NBA rings who probably should have been contracted at some point.
Like, why? KD made an idiotic choice and he’s sticking to it instead of winning rings, I’m not mad at him, he should be mad at himself.
By your own silly reasonings we would have contracted GSW long before Steph came along
1975 title says no.
Its also before this website existed, so you wouldnt be able to bring it up!
Honestly yes switching teams and waisting father time was his biggest mistakes. Going to Brooklyn and Phoenix were mistakes and yeah not going to GS. You are completely right about that. The Suns are clueless. Waiving 16m and stretching it instead of trading it shows how lost the Suns are. James Jones should retire from that too
While KD’s tenure ended pretty poorly with his wanting out, it enabled the Warriors at least to recoup and win another chip in ’22, since he allowed the dubs to do a sign and trade instead of just leaving directly.
Overall though, I don’t see any fans booing him this weekend. He helped GSW win a few chips, and when they were all playing together, the basketball was so beautiful to watch.
With a illegal Brooklyn trade you mean
KD wants to sign with the Nets
So NBA didn’t want GS to lose KD for nothing so they did a illegal sign and trade and KD didn’t even know about it. KD found out and said I won’t be traded for just D Russell. You add picks to that(with Russell for KD)and they did.
Man that’s some Davey J territory there LOL.
C’mon, he acquiesced to the sign and trade. It was mostly so that he and Kyrie could get the max and also sign their good buddy DeAndre Jordan without having to give up any salary.
And that one pick that they sent conveyed into a 2nd round.