Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant has been on a few teams in his career, four to be exact, so he has seen what different teams look like and possibly, which ones he would like to play for. What he said on Saturday seems to indicate that he wanted something that he had to wait to receive.
On Saturday, there was video released by Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic showing Durant answering a question about him trying to leave the Brooklyn Nets last summer before the 2022-23 season started. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported in June of 2022 that Durant had requested a trade and that the Suns and the Miami Heat were two teams on his wish list.
Durant was eventually traded at the deadline this past season once the team started to lose games thanks in part to Durant suffering an MCL sprain that kept him out for a significant amount of time. Kyrie Irving was traded prior to Durant after the Nets and Irving’s party were unable to agree to a contract extension.
Here’s some of what Durant had to say about the initial trade request in the summer:
“They (the Nets) just refused to get rid of me. I tried (to get traded before the season started), but time ran out. I wasn’t going to miss any games because of this whole thing. Once the season rolled around, I was like, whatever happens, happens. I just get ready for the season. It worked out. Perfect timing.”
"I did. I tried but time ran out. I wasn't going to miss any games because of this whole thing. Once the season rolled around, I was like, whatever happens, happens."
Kevin Durant on trying to leave #Nets for #Suns before last season.
Traded before deadline.
"Perfect timing." pic.twitter.com/aA0HOZIZav
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 25, 2023
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