Kevin Durant Explains Why He Requested For Trade
In February 2023, the 35-year-old became a member of the Phoenix Suns.
The unexpected transfer of Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets to the Phoenix Suns is already an year old, and the 2018 NBA Finals MVP has given an explanation for his want to leave the team.
As it happens, the power forward stated that the instability of the New York team ultimately took too much of a toll and that they wanted to chase NBA greatness.
“In Brooklyn? Yes, it was inconsistent and lacking in continuity with our identity as a team, There were just too many uncontrollable external factors that hindered us from establishing our continuity, and winning a championship requires you to establish a sense of self from the start.
That is simply basketball’s business. However, that is the NBA as a whole. We all improved as players, though, and everyone—from executives to players—learned a lot from the experience. As a result, we are now better equipped to navigate the NBA.”
Durant told the New York Post.
It seems sense that Durant, who has such a remarkable history in the game, would take his skills elsewhere in order to further cement his already unending fame in one of the most watched sports in the world and in the United States.
He won the MVP award in the NBA Finals in both of his championship games, 2017, and 2018. Along with being the 2008 rookie of the year, he was the 2014 NBA MVP, a 13-time All-Star, and the 2012 and 2019 All-Star game MVP.
Additionally, he has three gold medals from the Olympics (2012), (2016), and 2020. In 2023–2024, he is exceeding his career averages of 27.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.
Once before, Kevin Durant had requested to be traded.
When Durant pushed to join the Phoenix Suns in 2022, where he is currently, it was the first time he had asked to leave the Nets, whom he had joined in 2019. The 6 feet 11 inch giant, meanwhile, had to stay in New York for another year because the Suns would not trade for Mikal Bridges.
“I tried [to move sooner], but they wouldn’t let off of me. I tried, but the time limit was up. Due to the whole situation, I was not going to miss any games. Upon the arrival of the season, I just prepared myself, accepting that whatever transpired would happen. The timing was ideal, as it should have been.”
Kevin Durant
That a player of his caliber and stature concentrated on playing ball rather than trying to ram home the point by sitting out is a credit to his character.
Click to watch: Kevin Durant, who missed last night’s game against the Gizzlies, was shot after today’s practices in New York
