Report: Kevin Durant Blocked February Trade To Warriors Because Of Steve Kerr

The Golden State Warriors had a deal in place to acquire NBA legend Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns in February. 

However, Durant blocked it because he didn’t want to play for Warriors head coach Steve Kerr again, per Logan Murdock of The Ringer. 

Golden State acquired Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat after finding out that Durant didn’t want to return.

“Durant’s exit from the Bay Area arguably had more to do with his issues with Steve Kerr than any shouting match with Draymond Green,” Murdock wrote. “Durant repeatedly complained both publicly and privately about Kerr’s offensive principles during his final season with the Warriors, and he continued to do so even after he left for Brooklyn.

“The two have since reconciled, but league sources identify Kerr as among the reasons Durant opted not to return to Golden State at the trade deadline.”

Kerr coached Durant last summer on Team USA. The United States won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics behind Durant, LeBron James and Stephen Curry. 

Durant won back-to-back championships and Finals MVPs with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018. 

A four-time scoring champion, Durant tore his right Achilles tendon in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals between the Warriors and Toronto Raptors. He signed with the Brooklyn Nets in the summer of 2019 and missed the entire 2019-20 season. 

Phoenix acquired Durant from Brooklyn in 2023. The Suns won only one postseason series with Durant, the eighth leading scorer in NBA history. 

The Houston Rockets are trading Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th pick in this year’s NBA draft and five second-round picks to the Suns for Durant. 

One of the best players in NBA history, Durant can extend with Houston for up to two years, $122.1 million starting on July 6. The future Hall of Famer turns 37 in September. 

Durant has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Warriors, Nets and Suns. He has career averages of 27.2 points.