Kevin Durant explains why he rejected a potential trade to the Warriors, citing his desire to stay with the Suns and finish his career on his own terms.

Kevin Durant recently opened up about why he shut down the possibility of a mid-season trade to the Golden State Warriors, a team he had previously led to two NBA championships.

Appearing on The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis, Durant explained that the decision was driven by a combination of personal and professional factors, which made a return to the Warriors “not make sense” for him at this point in his career.

Durant, who now plays for the Phoenix Suns, emphasized that he wanted to finish the season with his current team and see what they could accomplish together, especially after key players like Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges were traded to the Brooklyn Nets in recent years.

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“I’m trying to see this through to the end and see what we can really do with it, you know what I’m saying?” Durant said, showing his commitment to his teammates and coaches in Arizona.

While Durant’s career trajectory has seen him play for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Warriors, and Brooklyn Nets, his latest decision to stay with the Suns came down to a simple reason—he didn’t want to move again in the middle of the season.

“I didn’t want to move,” the 36-year-old star confessed during the podcast, referring to the trade rumors swirling around him as the February 6 trade deadline approached.

Durant, who had been through similar transitions in his career, made it clear that he wasn’t keen on uprooting his life once again.

“It’s just such a big change, and I’ve been through it before,” he explained, adding that making such a move in the middle of a season wouldn’t be fair to any team he joined.

Durant’s time with the Warriors remains one of the most successful periods of his career, during which he won two NBA championships and became one of the league’s most dominant players.

His synergy with teammates like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson helped solidify Golden State’s dynasty.

However, despite his success, Durant’s decision to leave the Warriors in 2019 and join the Brooklyn Nets marked a turning point in his career.

Moving to Phoenix in 2023, Durant chose a fresh start after a tumultuous few seasons with the Nets. But the idea of returning to the Warriors, even with the potential for another championship run, wasn’t appealing to Durant this time around.

In his conversation with Draymond Green and Baron Davis, Durant acknowledged that joining the Warriors mid-season would not have been beneficial for either side.

He pointed out that with a trade like that, it would be a “big blow” for any team, especially considering the adjustments and uncertainties that come with adding a superstar player during the season.

“From me, looking at it, it just don’t make sense for either side right now,” Durant explained.

Durant also reflected on his time with Green, Curry, and the rest of the Warriors, sharing some emotional moments he had playing alongside his former teammates.

“I felt like I was the only one on the court who knew what [Curry] was thinking,” Durant said of his experiences playing with Curry during the 2024 Summer Olympics with Team USA.

After years of playing together, Durant was able to anticipate Curry’s moves on the court without any need for verbal communication, something he described as “cool to feel again.”

Beyond basketball, Durant’s thoughts on his career also extended to his personal journey. He has always been one to emphasize the importance of making decisions on his own terms.

“I want my career to end on my terms,” Durant remarked, underscoring his desire to have control over his future.

This reflects a deeper sentiment shared by many players in the league who want to define their legacies by how they finish their careers, not just how they start them.

Durant’s focus on doing things his way was also evident when discussing his time with Team USA during the 2024 Paris Olympics. His reflections on the experience, which was captured in the Netflix documentary Court of Gold, showed how much the event meant to him.

“People get to start laughing and joking before a game of ball, it’s cool to me, so it gets me emotional,” Durant shared.

His emotional connection to the Olympics was strengthened by the presence of fans who traveled great distances to watch their favorite players compete on the global stage.

Durant expressed how much he appreciated the support and the significance of competing on such a grand stage, noting how it makes him grateful for the opportunities he’s had in his career.

As Durant looks to the future, he remains focused on what’s next for him and the Suns. He isn’t concerned about external pressures or trade rumors; rather, he’s committed to what his team can accomplish.

He’s been through the rigors of trades and transitions in the past, and now he wants to see where his current journey will take him.

The Suns are working to build a strong, competitive team, and Durant’s leadership will be crucial in guiding them toward success in the years to come.

Kevin Durant’s decision to reject a potential trade to the Warriors wasn’t just about basketball strategy—it was also a reflection of his desire to control his own destiny.

Whether he’s making big decisions on the court or navigating his personal life, Durant is committed to seeing things through on his own terms, and it’s clear that he’s ready for whatever comes next in his illustrious career.