By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Kevin Durant all but stopped conversations between the Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors ahead of the recent trade deadline for players to remain eligible for the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
The experienced forward seemingly declining a return to the franchise based in San Francisco was confirmed by former teammate Stephen Curry and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. Both also explained the unwillingness of Durant.
“You need everybody to be all bought in no matter what the history you have,” the 36-year-old point guard told ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk, “I respect KD. It’s all about having peace of mind and happiness. Neither one of us controlled that situation. It’s just you want to make sure somebody wants to be somewhere. Other than that, I’m not trying to convince anybody to be somewhere they don’t want to be.”
Durant, 36, playing for the Warriors was highlighted by winning NBA championships and being named Finals MVP in 2016 and 2017, under the guidance of Kerr.
“I don’t blame Kevin one bit for not wanting to rerun things here. He took so much s… for like, ‘Oh, you’re jumping on the bandwagon’. And then he’s Finals MVP two years in a row. It’s like he still gets criticized,” said the successful play-caller, “So why would he want to face all that B.S. again?”
Staying with the Suns beyond the deadline, Durant is seeking a 14th career postseason run. So far in the 2024-25 Regular Season, he tallied 27.3 points per contest over 41 appearances.
Photo Credit: FIBA