Kevin Durant has formally confirmed what had been rumored for months: the Suns almost despatched him again to the Warriors earlier than he pulled the plug.
“Initially, I used to be just a little upset as a result of I felt like we constructed a strong relationship, me and the Phoenix Suns,” Durant mentioned talking at Recreation Plan Sports activities’ Enterprise Summit just lately. “And to listen to that from a special celebration was sort of upsetting, however that’s simply the secret. So I received over that rapidly and was making an attempt to determine what the following steps had been.”
Reviews on the time indicated a multi-team deal was in place that would have despatched Jimmy Butler to Phoenix and Durant to Golden State.
Durant acknowledged there have been certainly talks occurring, however he had a say in stopping them.
“I heard Golden State was within the combine across the commerce deadline, however that’s when Wealthy [Kleiman] got here into play, and people relationships that we constructed across the league and in addition enjoying in Golden State helped,” Durant defined. “We had been in a position to inform them to sort of maintain off on that.”
The previous MVP mentioned timing was a significant component in his resolution.
“Since me being in the marketplace in February when there’s additionally a commerce deadline, individuals had been simply sort of seeing how their seasons performed out and what they wanted for his or her groups,” Durant mentioned. “We knew we’d revisit that proper across the summertime, and Houston sort of jumped on, and it occurred fairly quick from there.”
Phoenix, in the meantime, failed to succeed in the postseason and by no means received a playoff sport with its trio of Durant, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker.
Durant’s commerce to Houston introduced again Dillon Brooks, Jalen Inexperienced and the No. 10 total choose within the 2025 NBA Draft.
READ MORE: Trae Younger Calls for Patrick Beverley ‘State Supply’ After Hawks Diss