Kevin Durantisn’t one to shy away from big career moves, but this time, he made it clear-he wasn’t going anywhere. With rumors swirling about a potential trade deadline deal sending him back to theGolden State Warriors, the Suns star sat down on “The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis” to clear the air.
For Durant, it wasn’t about unfinished business or personal grudges. It was about stability.
“I want my career to end on my terms. That’s the only thing I’m worried about. I see a lot of dudes that don’t get the opportunity,”Durant shared. “But as far as the Warriors, I didn’t want to move. A player like me, I cost a lot. Me going to your team, it’s going to be a whole new era to your team when I get there.”
Why a midseason move didn’t appeal to Durant
Trades are always a risk, and for a superstar like Durant, switching teams midseason means major adjustments-for both him and whichever team lands him.
“My contract and just my production, me just getting up and moving in the middle of the season, it’s going to be a big blow to any team I’m going to,” Durant explained. “I get why y’all want to trade me and why y’all looking at it. It just doesn’t make sense for either side right now to go through it.”
With Golden State rumored to be exploring trade options, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr had hinted at the possibility of making a move. But despite the outside speculation, Durant never seriously entertained the idea of returning to his old team.
In an interview with ESPN, he shot down the narrative that his past friction with Draymond Green was a factor. “People talk crazy about me all the time,” Durant said. “That’s not the reason why I didn’t want to come back. I just didn’t want to get traded midway through the season. It was nothing against my time with the Warriors, or I heard because I don’t like Draymond.”
Instead of Durant, the Warriors pivoted and brought in Jimmy Butler, a move that’s paid off early as Golden State has gone 5-1 since the trade deadline.
Meanwhile, the Suns have been struggling. At 27-31, they’re slipping in the Western Conference standings. If things don’t turn around, Durant’s stance on staying put may shift come the offseason.
For now, though, he’s focused on finishing what he started in Phoenix. And whether or not that leads to a deep playoff run-or another trade conversation in a few months-remains to be seen.
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