Kevin Durant, now starring for his fifth NBA franchise with the Houston Rockets, continues to make headlines not just for his on-court brilliance but for his outspoken criticism of former teams. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history, Durant’s career has been marked by frequent team changes, earning him a reputation as a superstar without a permanent NBA home. His latest comments reveal deep frustration with the business practices of the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors, shedding light on why he left both franchises.
Durant had high hopes when he joined the Phoenix Suns, envisioning a long-term partnership with Devin Booker that could cement his legacy. However, the addition of Bradley Beal failed to deliver the championship contention the Suns had anticipated. After two lackluster seasons, Durant’s name shockingly appeared on the trade block last winter, a move that left him feeling betrayed by the Suns’ ownership.
In a candid interview with Sports Illustrated, Durant didn’t hold back: “So, you’re doing business behind my back, backdoor s*** like that. It just didn’t sit right with me.” He expressed frustration over the Suns’ lack of transparency, particularly their trade discussions with the Golden State Warriors, which involved sending Jonathan Kuminga and other assets to Phoenix. Durant made it clear he had no interest in being traded mid-season, opting to finish the year before moving to Houston in the offseason.
The trade talks with Golden State revealed another layer of Durant’s discontent. The Warriors, eager to reunite with Durant to bolster Stephen Curry’s championship aspirations, saw an opportunity to bring back the superstar who helped them win two titles. However, Durant quickly shut down the idea once rumors of the deal surfaced.
“I love Steph. I love hooping with Steph,” Durant admitted. “And I really thought about going back to the Warriors. But it was a certain part of me that just didn’t like that this last little phase of my career was gonna be that these owners were just gonna work behind my back to make that decision for me.” His distrust of the Warriors’ ownership and their handling of the trade talks ultimately killed the deal.
Instead, Golden State pivoted, acquiring Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat in a blockbuster trade. While Curry and Butler have meshed well, the prospect of Durant rejoining the Warriors would have sent shockwaves through the league.
Now with the Houston Rockets, Durant is focused on helping the franchise win its first NBA Championship since the Hakeem Olajuwon-led titles of the mid-1990s. Teaming up with rising star Alperen Sengun and a talented young core under coach Ime Udoka, Durant brings elite scoring and veteran leadership to a team aiming to make noise in the Western Conference. Udoka, widely respected for maximizing his players’ potential, is expected to harness Durant’s skills to elevate the Rockets into contention.
However, Durant’s journey carries added weight. After high-profile stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Suns that failed to yield championships, some fans and analysts believe Durant needs another ring to solidify his legacy post-Warriors.
Durant’s fiery remarks underscore a recurring theme in his career: a desire for respect and transparency from the organizations he plays for. His criticism of the “shady” dealings in Phoenix and Golden State highlights the challenges even the greatest players face in navigating the business side of the NBA. As he embarks on this new chapter with Houston, the question remains: can Kevin Durant finally find the NBA home he’s been searching for, or will drama continue to follow one of basketball’s all-time greats?