Kevin Durant rejects reports he is frustrated with Suns
Mar 5, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
A report came out in December about Kevin Durant’s rumored dissatisfaction with the Phoenix Suns. Durant addressed those rumors head-on Monday after his team’s 138-111 loss to the LA Clippers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif.
The Christmas Day report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski painted Durant as a frustrated figure in Phoenix. The 13-time All-Star was said to have been peeved at Bradley Beal’s injury troubles as well as the Suns’ relatively shallow supporting cast.
Durant spoke to FOX Sports’ Melissa Rohlin on Monday and claimed that “other people’s words have been misconstrued” to be his own.
“I don’t want to get traded,” Durant told Rohlin. “I’m not frustrated because [Beal] was injured. I wasn’t frustrated because of the role players on the team. That s— really was ignorant to me, you know what I’m saying?”
Durant added that he was obviously frustrated about the Suns’ underperformance, which may have led to less-than-stellar body language from him on the court. However, KD clarified that his evident disdain for losing does not equate to wanting out of Phoenix.
The Suns star called the days following Woj’s report “so trash” and deemed the rumors “all speculation” based on his body language.
Phoenix has hovered around .500 throughout most of the season. Monday’s loss to the Clippers dropped the Suns’ record to 19-18.
Durant has buoyed the Suns throughout most of the year. In 30 games played, Durant has averaged 29.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per contest on 52.5% shooting from the field.
You can read the rest of Durant’s interview with Rohlin here.
