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Kevin Durant Explains Failed Warriors Trade, Wants To End Career On His Own Terms

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 5: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns slam dunks against the Dallas Mavericks in the second half at American Airlines Center on March 5, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. The Suns won 130-126. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant addressed his decision to nix a potential trade that would have sent him to the Golden State Warriors. Considering a return to the place where he won two championships “didn’t make sense.”

“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 told Draymond Green and Baron Davis on their podcast this week. “From me, looking at it, it just don’t make sense for either side right now.”

Durant also said that he wanted to end his career on his own terms and had no interest in moving, adding lifestyle reasons to potential issues on the court. Golden State and Phoenix are both fighting for the last few playoff spots in the Western Conference with 31-27 and 27-31 records, respectively.

Though Durant’s most productive days are behind him, the 36-year-old star is still a major contributor for the Suns and would have been an excellent complement to Steph Curry if he chose to rejoin the Warriors. The pair worked incredibly well together to win championships in 2017 and 2018. Instead of reforming part of those dynastic superteams, Golden State pivoted to discussions with the Heat and landed Jimmy Butler, another playmaking veteran who is already helping the Warriors down the stretch.

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Throughout his career, Durant has taken considerable criticism for moving to teams in search of championships. His move to Golden State was considered blatant by many, but they accused him of similar motivations when he moved to Brooklyn and Phoenix. Regardless of the veracity of those claims, Durant is painting a very different picture now. In shooting down the Warriors trade, he stood by the Suns as the team he wanted to play for, even as they struggle to get back to .500.

“Man, I want my career to end on my terms,” Durant told Green and Davis. “That’s the only thing I’m worried about, you know? I see a lot of dudes that don’t get that opportunity, so I want to keep putting in that work to make that choice on my own.”