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Grizzlies GM Breaks Silence After Kevin Durant News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Feb 11, 2025 2:27 AM ET

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant saw his name become a common theme in trade talks before the Feb. 6 deadline. The 2014 NBA MVP was heavily linked to a return to the Golden State Warriors, but it was reported by ESPN's Brian Windhorst that he expressed disinterest in a reunion with the team he won consecutive championships and Finals MVPs with in 2017 and 2018.

The NBA trade deadline has officially passed, Durant remains in Phoenix. At age 36, the superstar forward is averaging 26.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Many teams were rumored to have trade interest in Durant, and a surprise team made a call to inquire about the availability of the four-time NBA scoring champion.

Former Warriors GM Bob Myers accidentally revealed on ESPN's NBA Today that the Memphis Grizzlies tried to trade for Durant, but the deal did not materialize.

Lol Bob Myers accidentally leaked that the Grizzlies were trying to get Kevin Durant on live TV pic.twitter.com/53SbMucKMs
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) February 6, 2025

Following this news, Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman addressed the media, breaking his silence on Memphis not making a move just to "win a press conference."

“Rather than do something to try and win a press conference, the focus (became) different,” Kleiman said via Drew Hill of the Daily Memphian. “It was like, ‘How do we best position ourselves to keep this team and roll forward with the guys that we really believe in?’"

The Grizzlies cut their losses at the trade deadline.

Was it popular? Not really.

But Memphis GM Zach Kleiman explained on Friday why he felt it had to be done. https://t.co/Kuvyr0UhnG
— Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) February 7, 2025

Kleiman added, "Of course, as we continue to build out the roster we are going to learn from what happens in front of us and go about it in a way where (the stars) are best supported to give us the best chance to win. But we have a lot of young talent we believe in."

With the trade deadline now officially closed, Durant will remain a Phoenix Sun, at least for now. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, will proceed with their core of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. as they prepare for a deep playoff push.

Memphis currently has the second-best record in the Western Conference, with a 34-17 mark. The Grizzlies will hope to bounce back from their loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder when they visit Durant and the Suns on Tuesday night.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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