Kevin Durant is on the move once again. On June 22, the final day of the NBA season, Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets, ending a tumultuous tenure with the Phoenix Suns. Durant was a star in Phoenix, but in recent months, he had been the subject of many trade rumors. In fact, around the trade deadline, there was rumors going around that Durant could return to his old team, the Golden State Warriors, in a trade.
But that trade ultimately did not happen, with Durant remaining in Phoenix for the rest of the season. Durant staying was not a surprise and even he himself said he did not want to be moved, but now, a new report by Athlon Sports reveals a big reason why Durant did not want to go back to Golden State.
Durant Had Issues Playing for Steve Kerr
In the new report, it is revealed that Steve Kerr was a big reason why Durant did not want to play in Golden State again, with Durant apparently taking issue with Kerr’s offensive style in his final season with the team back in 2018-19. Durant had a very notable shouting match with Warriors’ star, Draymond Green, during that season that many believe contributed to his departure– but as it turns out, it was much deeper than that.
“Durant’s exit from the Bay Area arguably had more to do with his issues with Steve Kerr than any shouting match with Green,” Athlon writer, Logan Murdock, wrote. “Durant repeatedly complained both publicly and privately about Kerr’s offensive principles during his final season with the Warriors, and he continued to do so even after he left for Brooklyn. The two have since reconciled, but league sources identify Kerr as among the reasons Durant opted not to return to Golden State at the trade deadline.”
If Durant had returned to Golden State, the team would have never gotten Jimmy Butler— whose addition ended up being the key to a successful season. But one can only imagine what would have happened if Durant re-joined the team– with two championship rings to show for it last time around.
Durant’s Career After Leaving the Warriors
After leaving the Warriors, Durant signed a contract with the Brooklyn Nets and after missing his first season with the team due to recovering from a torn Achilles, he returned in 2020-21 and became an instant star for the Nets. Playing in 35 games for the team in his first season, he averaged 26.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists, helping the Nets reach the Eastern Conference Semifinals. In 2021-22, Durant put together his best season since his MVP campaign in 2014, averaging 29.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists. However, disagreements with the franchise’s front office led to him being traded to the Phoenix Suns midway through the 2022-23.
Durant then went on to play two and a half seasons with Suns but after failing to reach expectations and with a desire to retool their roster, Durant was traded to the Rockets where he is expected to be the team’s new superstar player in their quest for an NBA championship.
