Kevin Durant’s narrative shifted when he opted to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder and join the Golden State Warriors in 2016. Recently, a fan proposed that Durant return to his roots and bring a championship to the Thunder, prompting a noteworthy reaction from the star forward.
Durant embarked on his NBA career as the second overall pick for the Seattle Supersonics in the 2007 Draft. He quickly demonstrated his prowess, earning Rookie of the Year honors with averages of 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.
Following the franchise’s move to Oklahoma City, Durant joined forces with Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Together, they reached the NBA Finals in 2012 but were unable to secure the championship against LeBron James and the Miami Heat.
Durant faced criticism for his subsequent move to the Golden State Warriors, viewed by many as a controversial decision. However, he thrived with the Warriors, winning two NBA championships alongside Stephen Curry. In 2019, Durant moved to the Brooklyn Nets before orchestrating a trade to join the Phoenix Suns, forming a formidable trio with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
Despite high expectations, the Kevin Durant-led Suns fell short of securing a top-three spot in the Western Conference during the regular season, finishing as the sixth seed with a 49-33 record. Their offense ranked ninth, their defense 13th, and their bench depth proved to be a concern.
These shortcomings were evident in their first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where the Suns struggled with shooting inefficiencies, turnovers, and fewer offensive rebounds compared to their opponents, resulting in an earlier-than-expected playoff exit.
Responding to a suggestion on Instagram about potentially returning to Oklahoma City to help the Thunder win a championship, Durant provided an epic response, reflecting his journey and decisions in the NBA.
Currently, Durant has two years remaining on his contract with the Suns. Given the makeup of their roster, Phoenix’s management faces the option of trading either Durant or Booker to significantly enhance their team with quality players or draft picks, especially since Beal holds a no-trade clause.
The future holds uncertainty regarding whether Durant might return to OKC or continue with Phoenix in the coming seasons. Regardless, there will be considerable interest in the former MVP’s ability to lead a competitive campaign in the upcoming season.
