Kevin Durant vehemently defends his post-Warriors legacy

Durant also shut down the notion that he's "insecure" and thus has the compulsion to defend his recent setbacks in Brooklyn and Phoenix.

In Durant's defense, several other factors contributed to his lack of success with the Nets and Suns. During the 2021 playoffs, Irving and Harden suffered untimely injuries. In 2022, a short-handed Nets team was swept by the Celtics after Harden forced a trade to the 76ers midway through the season. The following year, Durant missed a chunk of regular-season games with the Suns and struggled to find his rhythm in the playoffs, resulting in a second-round loss to the Nuggets.

Still, it's not far-fetched to claim that Durant's career has nosedived since he left the Warriors, where he captured two NBA titles. 

Durant has never shied away from engaging with fans on X, an activity that some believe should be beneath him. However, his willingness to discuss basketball with anyone and everyone also deserves praise, as it portrays him as someone comfortable in his skin.

The 36-year-old is widely expected to suit up for a new squad next season, which would mark the fifth different stop of his career. Teams such as the Knicks, Spurs, Timberwolves and Rockets have emerged as the most aggressive suitors, per multiple insiders. ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports that the Suns could trade Durant within the next few weeks, potentially ahead of the NBA Draft on June 25.