Durant Responds to Ishbia's Remarks
Kevin Durant has never been one to hold back, especially on social media. The 16-time NBA All-Star took offense to comments made by Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia regarding Durant's trade from the Brooklyn Nets.
Owner's Comments Ignite Response
During an interview, Ishbia remarked on the Suns' acquisition of Durant, stating, "I kind of just threw money at the problem. Bringing in super-talented players like Kevin Durant doesn’t necessarily lead to championships." This statement did not sit well with Durant.
In his reply on platform X, Durant expressed his frustration: "#blameKD even though KD stayed on top of his game at 36 and got u back this 'culture' you love so much. Aye, Matthew acts like I got arrested for a DUI or sumn. Back to threads 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂."
Back-and-Forth Banter Continues
The exchange didn’t end with Durant’s post. Ishbia fired back with, "You obviously didn’t watch the clip. 😂 Didn’t blame you @Kdtrey5, but am happy with the culture we are building here in Phoenix. We got the right guys and right focus now and are excited for this season. Good luck this season in Houston."
Durant was quick to respond again, saying, "U should be giving Thanks every chance u get. You don’t have to pay me an absurd amount of money to play for another team." This interaction highlighted the tension between the star player and the team's ownership.
A Troubled Tenure in Phoenix
In July 2025, the Suns ended Durant's stay by trading him to the Houston Rockets as part of a seven-team deal. His tenure in Phoenix turned out to be less successful than anticipated. Despite being a star player, he and the team only managed to win one playoff series and missed the postseason entirely in the 2024-25 season.
Over 2½ seasons, Durant averaged an impressive 26.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. However, leading up to the 2025 trade deadline, the Suns were reportedly looking to move Durant and considered a multi-team deal that would send him back to the Golden State Warriors.
Durant, upon learning of the trade discussions from outside sources, expressed his disappointment at being caught off-guard by the Suns' front office. This breach of trust significantly altered the relationship between Durant and the franchise.
