Image Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

“I just didn’t…” – Kevin Durant breaks silence on his decision not to return to Golden State

Durant is currently averaging 27.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game this season.

Image Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

The 2025 trade deadline is long gone, but it doesn’t look like we are getting over it anytime soon. From Luka Doncic’s trade to Jimmy Butler leaving the Heat, there was so much that the NBA saw in the last few weeks.

Another rumor that kept buzzing was Kevin Durant’s reunion with his old team, the Golden State Warriors. It was learnt that while the Warriors wanted to have their former star back, Durant didn’t feel like going old ways. So much was said, and so much was heard, and every other day, the market got flooded with many opinions why Kevin refused the move.

However, putting an end to everything for once and all, the 15-time All-Star spoke about his decision revealing the real reason why an offer from Steve Kerr’s side didn’t excite him. Kevin, who reunited with his former teammate Stephen Curry at the All-Star Game 2025, said that he didn’t want to go back to the Warriors not because of everyone’s opinions.

He revealed that the only reason he didn’t want to go back was that he didn’t want a mid-season trade.

“People talk crazy about me all the time. That’s not the reason why I didn’t want to come back, I just didn’t want to get traded midway through the season,” said Durant.

The four-time Olympic gold medalist also said that his decision had nothing to do with his time at the Warriors or reports that he didn’t like Draymond Green. As per the Suns’ star, he just wanted to see what he can do at his current franchise.

“It was nothing against my time with the Warriors, or I heard because I didn’t like Draymond. At the end of the day, I just didn’t want to move and I wanted to see it through with my team in Phoenix and see what we can do the rest of the season. I’m glad I’m still there,” added Durant.

KD on Kerr saying he didn't want to run it back with the Dubs:

"That's not the reason why I didn't want to come back, I just didn't want to get traded midway through the season" pic.twitter.com/OI0GMnbgu7
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) February 18, 2025

Notably, the 36-year-old was referring to the criticism he received during his stay with the Warriors since he expressed his interest in joining the Warriors. While he led the side to two consecutive championships in 2017 and 2018, things didn’t get easy for him.

In November 2018, Durant and Green got into a verbal altercation during which the latter told his teammate to leave the side as they didn’t need him. This is still believed as one of the biggest reasons for his departure in 2019.

Talking about the trade, the Warriors wanted to sign Durant, who spent three seasons with them from 2016 to 2019, but after his humble denial, they shifted their focus to former Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler and ended up signing him.

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“Why would he want to face all that again?”- Steve Kerr breaks silence on Kevin Durant’s decision not to return to the Warriors

“I hear about my age every day”- Kevin Durant opens up on retirement plans

Kevin Durant is 36 years old, but there are no signs of him slowing down. The Washington D.C. born is in prolific form and is currently averaging 27.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game this season.

However, as the age clock is ticking, the Suns’ superstar revealed his retirement plans, stating that he thinks about it all the time.

Durant told ESPN, “I think about it all the time. I mean, we’re in a young man’s game. I hear about my age every day.”

The two-time NBA Finals MVP, who is the only player alongside LeBron James with 30,000+ points and over 2,000 three-pointers, added that he is not seeing any end to his playing career.

Durant added, “But I’m still having fun preparing for games, preparing for practices, being a teammate, I still enjoy all that stuff. I don’t see an end right now, but it could happen, it could not.”

Kevin Durant on how much longer he could play for:

"I don't see an end right now, but it could happen, it could not" pic.twitter.com/WWBWZ0Yoif
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) February 18, 2025

He concluded by saying that he only focuses on his next day, stating, “I’m just locked in on the next day.”

While Kevin has been a key player for the side, the Suns have found themselves struggling throughout the season. Currently seeded in the 11th spot of the Western Conference standings with a 26-28 tally, they will be back in action on Thursday, Feb. 20, against the Spurs.

Golden State Warriors

Kevin Durant

Phoenix Suns

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.