Kevin Durant was completely “blindsided” when he found out the Suns and Warriors were in serious discussion to send him back to the Bay Area at the deadline. Well, a reunion with Stephen Curry didn’t sound too bad, considering they have already won two championships together. Surprisingly, KD immediately put his foot down, shutting down the idea of joining his old team. And there are rising speculations that Draymond Green was part of the reason Durant did not want to return to the Warriors. But a veteran columnist’s latest perspective could nullify that notion!
Even though KD and Green were teammates for three years, it’s public knowledge that they butted heads multiple times. Obviously, the most famous incident occurred during a 2018 game, as The Slim Reaper got visibly frustrated after the former DPOY refused to pass him the ball for a potential game-winning shot. Unfortunately, it led to a heated altercation between them, with Draymond calling KD a “b—-” multiple times and even saying to him, “We don’t need you. We won without you. Leave.”
Well, Durant did leave the very next year, as he joined the Nets. And there is a good chance that KD did not want to be in the same situation again, which is why he shut down this trade. However, veteran columnist Monte Poole believes his relationship with Green played no part in the Suns star’s decision, “I don’t think it had anything to do with Draymond… As long as the Suns aren’t in the championship picture, at some point [Durant] will want out… Who knows, maybe a year from now, maybe less than a year from now, he might change his mind about the Bay Area.”
While KD seems committed to the Phoenix franchise now and is willing to work things out, that might not be the case down the line. Obviously, Durant is in the later stages of his career and likely wants to play for a team that gives him a chance at contending for another title. However, he has not even made it past the second round with the Suns. If these struggles continue, Durant could demand a trade soon as his contract expires next summer. But what did Draymond have to say about KD passing on the opportunity of rejoining him?
Of course, the accusations came Green’s way after the way he reacted to KD shutting down the potential trade. “Didn’t affect my life one bit. Why would it? I don’t concern myself with guys who aren’t here.” The Warriors star said about Durant’s decision. Well, his comments make it seem like there is still some bad blood between the two stars.
However, KD and Green buried the hatchet about their controversial past four years ago. During a one-on-one sit-down session, Durant confessed that their argument was not the reason he left the Warriors six years ago, “It wasn’t the argument, it was the way that everybody, how Steve Kerr acted like it didn’t happen. Bob Myers tried to just discipline you and think that would put the mask over everything. I really felt like that was such a big situation for us as a group… we had to get that s— all out.”
Yes, KD blamed the Warriors management for how the situation was handled rather than pinning it on how Draymond reacted. “I’d rather us be who we say we are. Family first. Communication is key. We didn’t show that. That’s what rubbed me the wrong way more than anything.” Durant added. Even Draymond agreed with KD’s sentiment and claimed that he warned the management that they were about to “F— this up.” He remarked, “In my opinion, they f—– it up.” So maybe it’s the lack of trust in the front office that stopped Durant from considering joining the Warriors again. What are your thoughts?
