In a candid moment, two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant addressed recent media reports suggesting his dissatisfaction with the Phoenix Suns, emphatically setting the record straight after facing speculation about his feelings toward the team’s supporting cast and Bradley Beal’s absence.
Durant, 35, had already taken to Instagram to counter an ESPN report that alluded to his frustration with the Suns’ roster. Following the team’s loss to the LA Clippers on Monday night, he seized another opportunity to express his perspective.
“I don’t want to get traded,” Durant affirmed in an interview with Melissa Rohlin of Fox Sports. Dismissing reports that linked his frustrations to various team dynamics, he labeled such speculation as “ignorant.”
“I’m not frustrated because [Bradley Beal] was injured. I wasn’t frustrated because of the role players on the team. That s*** really was ignorant to me, you know what I’m saying?”
The ESPN report, dated December 25, triggered what Durant described as a period of unwarranted criticism, including comments from sports analyst Stephen A. Smith questioning Durant’s leadership skills. Despite the media chatter, Durant emphasized his dedication to the grind, highlighting his impressive season stats with an average of 29.6 points on 52.3 percent shooting from the field, 47.3 percent from 3-point range, 6.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game.
“You think I’m supposed to be happy after we lose a game?” Durant asked Rohlin. “I’m not frustrated with the whole situation. I may be frustrated at the moment, at a bad play or a tough stretch. But nah, I enjoy the grind.”
Responding to former NBA player Brandon Jennings’ social media remarks suggesting Durant should leave the Suns, Durant expressed frustration with the discourse, dismissing it as “trash” and unnecessary speculation.
“That whole few days was so trash to me because it was all speculation,” Durant said. “Like, why are [people] even spending this much time worrying about … Does KD deserve better? Or he doesn’t deserve better? Like, why are you even talking about this?”
The 19-18 start for the Suns, coupled with the limited time Durant, Beal, and Devin Booker have played together, hasn’t deterred Durant. He sees the early struggles as opportunities for growth and improvement. Durant also acknowledged the media’s penchant for sensationalism, stating that they would seize any chance to portray him negatively.
Throughout his illustrious career, Durant has grappled with perceptions shaped by the media. He bemoaned the focus on negative narratives, asserting that the media shies away from acknowledging his greatness and prefers to delve into narratives of insecurity and misery.
“Nobody wants to call me great,” Durant told Rohlin. “They want to call me all these other words: insecure, miserable, bad teammate. That’s what’s going to get [people] paid for the articles they write. They can’t write, ‘KD is such a student of the game’ or ‘He’s a great teammate’ or ‘He loves basketball.’ Nobody wants to hear that s*** when it comes to me.”
As a two-time champion and 13-time All-Star, Durant’s legacy is rich with accomplishments, providing ample opportunities for positive press. However, he remains vigilant against narratives that seek to paint him in an unfavorable light.