Feb 1, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Phoenix Suns power forward Kevin Durant (35) looks on during warm ups before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images

Kevin Durant Breaks Silence On ‘Toxic Locker Room’ Media Narrative

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics
By Ernest Hernandez | Last updated Feb 10, 2025 10:43 PM ET

Kevin Durant remains with the Phoenix Suns after the NBA trade deadline, and while it was an exciting time for NBA fans to see who goes, the former league MVP now shares his thoughts on what transpired during that time, especially about the ‘toxic’ locker room rumors.

In a report shared by Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, she said that the trade rumors surrounding Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal linking to Jimmy Butler had the locker room in a ‘toxic’ environment. This reached the six-foot-11 scorer, and he can now air his side of the story.

“Yeah, I heard Ramona Shelburne come out and say our locker room is toxic,” Durant said in an report of Duane Rankin of Arizona Central. “Try to tell people who aren’t around this game much, is that it’s easy to say our locker room is not connected when you come in there 45 minutes before and guys are in their game mode and not talking to each other.”

Feb 1, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Phoenix Suns power forward Kevin Durant (35) dunks the ball during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images

Kevin Durant also implied that this type of reporting by the media is not fair for them as public figures, but he has learned to accept this as a staple for being one of the most popular athletes today.

“I don’t think that’s fair to us, but like I said, that’s a part of the game. Part of the business we signed up for. S--- is not fair in this game, but we got to deal with it and accept it,” he adds.

Kevin Durant expresses his intention to finish his contract with the Phoenix Suns

At 36 years old, Kevin Durant is still under contract with the Phoenix Suns until the 2025-26 season. After a very turbulent NBA trade deadline, he expressed that he doesn’t want to get trade and will prefer to ride out the last year of his contract.

“I always had a goal of playing my contract out and see what happens. … I know that will be a topic. That’s probably the most frustrating part about being in trade talks is that microscope is going to be solely on me the rest of the season,” said Durant.

As of this writing, Kevin Durant has played 39 games into the 2024-25 season. He has averaged 26.9 points 6.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. He also shoots 39% beyond the three-point arc and des 82% from the free throw line.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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