Kevin Durant left one of the greatest teams ever assembled (Golden State Warriors) for one of the most talented teams to never win a title (Brooklyn Nets) in 2019. Of course, the future Hall of Famer didn't know that his cross-country excursion wouldn't turn out as he wanted.
Durant tore his Achilles with the Warriors during the 2019 NBA Finals, which they lost to the Toronto Raptors. The four-time NBA scoring champion then went to the Nets in a sign-and-trade that summer, teaming up with fellow superstar Kyrie Irving. The team also traded for former MVP James Harden in January 2021, forming a lethal offensive trio on paper.
The band broke up after several injuries and playoff exits, and Brooklyn fans still reminisce about it on social media. A particular fan on Thursday criticized how the Nets handled Irving's contract, and Durant responded to their post.
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant (35).
Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant (35).
Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
"Beautifully said," the 36-year-old said.
Durant signed a four-year, $194.2 million extension with the Nets in August 2021, but his two co-stars didn't do the same. They traded Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers in February 2022, Irving to the Dallas Mavericks in February 2023, and Durant to the Phoenix Suns three days after Irving.
None of the three have won a championship since, although Irving and Luka Doncic led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024, where they lost to the Boston Celtics. Neither Durant nor Harden has gotten out of the second round, and the latter star has yet to get past the third round in his entire career.
Durant is entering the last year of his contract with the Suns.