Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant played 129 games for the Brooklyn Networks over the course of more than three seasons with the team. During this time there was a lot of hype surrounding Brooklyn as they had a combination of superstars, Durant and Kyrie Irving, who could potentially win a championship. It didn’t work out that way, however, as the Nets made it furthest in the playoffs was the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals before losing to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Despite having great faith in the team’s ability to win a title, particularly after trading for James Harden on February 10, 2022, the organization consistently underperformed. Not only that, but there was a lot of drama surrounding the team, from reports that Durant and Irving didn’t want to play for Kenny Atkinson (possibly leading to his firing) to Irving’s controversial views on certain issues.
Things happened on February 6th when Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. This trade fundamentally changed the course of the Brooklyn franchise for years to come, as Durant (for the second time) requested his own trade after Irving was traded and Durant was traded shortly thereafter. As the trades took place, there was much talk of why the Nets collapsed after so much promise. Durant spoke up Shine Charania from The Athletic to discuss the Irving trade and how Durant sees the nets after his trade:
Durant on dealing with Kyrie Irving
“When he asked, I was just trying to figure out where the team was headed. When I didn’t understand which direction we were going, I tried to make the best decision for myself.”
Durant when he feels vindicated that he has left the Nets
“Nah. Hell nope I want what’s best for this organization. I wanted the best for us in every game. I hated that it had to go down like that. I wasn’t trying to prove that the Nets are a perfect organization. I was trying to prove that the Nets are a great organization, that they care about their players and want the best for their players. Certain s— just didn’t work out. I get that. I’m not here to prove the Nets wrong, I think they did a great job the whole time I was there, not just the trading. Playing again after the Achilles injury – they made sure they were there for me every step of the way. And I appreciate that for life. I have a feeling we’ll be bonded as family for life, no matter how it ended.”
Source : sports.yahoo.com