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 stable relationship, me and the Phoenix Suns,” Durant mentioned talking at Recreation Plan Sports activities’ Enterprise Summit lately. “And to listen to that from a unique celebration was type of upsetting, however that’s simply the secret. So I received over that rapidly and was attempting to determine what the subsequent steps have 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 happening, 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 have been in a position to inform them to type of maintain off on that.”
The previous MVP mentioned timing was a significant component in his resolution.
“Since me being available on the market in February when there’s additionally a commerce deadline, folks have been simply type of seeing how their seasons performed out and what they wanted for his or her groups,” Durant mentioned. “We knew we might revisit that proper across the summertime, and Houston type of jumped on, and it occurred fairly quick from there.”
Phoenix, in the meantime, failed to achieve the postseason and by no means gained 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 general choose within the 2025 NBA Draft.
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