Update 07/03/2022 10:25am:
Previously, Kevin Durant requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, following his teammate Kyrie Irving reportedly opting into the final year of his deal with the Nets for $36.5 million. Rumors have swirled of teams like the Lakers putting together a package deal for him and Irving, and Durant has remained fairly silent until now.
Via Twitter, Durant made comments following the rapid trade rumors. “The ones who were locked in that gym with me know what it is, they know what I’m about. If u haven’t been in there with me, ask around,” said Durant.
Robin Lundberg of Sports Illustrated went on to ask Durant why he made a request to be traded, along with a bunch of other questions. Durant went on to tell Lundberg, “Keep dreaming robin lmao.” Take a look above.
Original 06/30/2022 5:17pm:
Six years ago, Kevin Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors. It was a controversial transaction that has resulted in his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, failing to advance past the first round of the playoffs since his departure. On the flip side, the move immediately paid dividends for Durant, as he would go on to become a two-time NBA champion and a two-time NBA Finals MVP with the Golden State Warriors. But alas, as the criticism rained down upon him from the likes of Skip Bayless, Shannon Sharpe, Stephen A. Smith, Charles Barkley, and several other figureheads in sports media, it became apparent that the 6'10 wingman would never truly be given the respect he so desired as long as he continued playing alongside Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.
So, three years after joining a 73-9 Warriors team that appeared in the 2015-16 NBA Finals, Durant once again packed his bags and signed with another team, via free agency. This time around, he teamed up with his good pal, Kyrie Irving, and joined the Brookyln Nets. Their three-year run together as teammates were very lackluster, as the only playoff series that they ever played together resulted in a 0-4 sweep at the hands of the Boston Celtics this year.
Now, amidst ongoing tension between Irving and the higher-ups within the Brooklyn Nets organization, Durant has expressed his desire to move on to yet another team. Marking the first time that the 12-time All-Star has ever requested a trade while under contract. The shocking news was first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski from ESPN. If the Nets honor Durant's request, they are expected to get a vast amount of draft picks and/or young talent in exchange for his rights. As of now, the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat are considered the frontrunners to land the former MVP.
For more on this story, stay tuned.
Source: Twitter
