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Steve Kerr Makes Kevin Durant Statement After Trade Deadline Chaos

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated Feb 15, 2025 8:00 AM ET

With the NBA All-Star break here, many clubs are getting a much-needed mid-season break. For teams like the Phoenix Suns, the break comes at a crucial time.

The Suns are 26-28 through 54 games and sit at No. 11 in the Western Conference. They've got Kevin Durant -- a future first-ballot Hall of Fame player -- and Devin Booker, who is a superstar in his prime years.

Being a subpar squad is unacceptable, and the Suns will be able to try and turn a corner after getting a refreshing break in the latter half of their schedule.

However, there might be some locker room issues in Phoenix after the club nearly included Durant in a trade with the Golden State Warriors. The forward's distaste with the Warriors and how his tenure in the Bay Area ended was the reason Golden State wasn't able to strike a deal.

Draymond Green wasn't shy in his opinion on the matter. Why would he care? Warriors head coach Steve Kerr gave a more thoughtful answer on the matter, however.

“I don't blame Kevin Durant one bit for not wanting to rerun things here," Kerr said. "He took so much [expletive] for like, 'Oh, you're jumping on the bandwagon'. And then he's Finals MVP two years in a row. It's like he still gets criticized… So why would he want to face all that [expletive] again?”

For Kerr, Durant's reason for not wanting to return makes sense. While the 36-year-old might not be in for a Golden State return, it seems he could be on his way out of the Valley this summer.

With the Suns two games below .500 at the break while having two elite players and no cap flexibility, moving on from Durant might be their only way forward -- and that relationship might be beyond repair.

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

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