Kevin Durant further expounded on his desire to leave the Brooklyn Nets dating back to the 2022 offseason. The Nets initially resisted the idea of trading Durant, but eventually accommodated him after they also traded Kyrie Irving.
“What do you think it was?” said Durant. “I was looking at the year we was in the last year and then this year, what are we doing [for the future]? I’m here. I signed the contract [extension], but nobody else around me signed. It was too much confusion. I’m glad I can move forward.”
The Nets traded James Harden for Ben Simmons at last year’s trade deadline and it appeared Irving’s time with the franchise was coming to an end despite their status as contenders in the Eastern Conference.
“I was thinking about who’s in the building, then when s*** started happening. We’re not playing well. KI requested a trade. It felt like a lot of s*** wasn’t happening for us. But I was locked in. I felt like my play showed people that I was really committed to the organization.
“I looked up, like what am I gonna do? I don’t know who’s gonna be my teammates, so I was a little nervous with that happening. And we were able to work something out.”
Durant was also asked if he regrets signing an extension with the Nets in 2021, which limited his optionality after things fell apart with the Nets.
“I don’t regret nothing. Nothing I do in my life I regret,” Durant said. “[Not] signing an extension worth that much money?”
