Has Kevin Durant ever demanded a trade: Looking at the journey of the Brooklyn Nets superstar
Kevin Durant is in the midst of yet another great season. The future NBA Hall of Famer is seventh in scoring as he is averaging 29.9 points per game, 6.9 rebounds per game, 5.4 assists per game, 0.8 steals per game, and 1.5 blocks per game. Durant is shooting a career-high 56.0% from the field, despite the majority of his shots coming from outside the paint, while also shooting 37.0% from three-point range and a career-high 92.8% from the free-throw line.
Meanwhile, since starting the season 2-6, his Brooklyn Nets have climbed all the way back to second place in a crowded Eastern Conference postseason race. Brooklyn is currently riding a 10-game win streak and have won 14 of their past 15 games.
Things were not always going well for Durant and the Nets, however, as the 12-time All-Star requested a trade prior to the season. While he ultimately rescinded the trade offer, many believed that the Nets' poor start would lead to Durant once again requesting to be moved.
Although Brooklyn is the third team that KD has played on since joining the NBA, the trade request came as a bit of a shock as he has previously always finished his contracts. His trade request was reportedly tied to his desire for Steve Nash to no longer be the head coach of the Nets. While Nash began the season coaching Brooklyn, he was ultimately fired after just seven games and the Nets have since turned things around.
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How did Kevin Durant's trade affect the Golden State Warriors?
Kevin Durant received plenty of vitriol for his decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder and join the Golden State Warriors. However, from a personal standpoint, the move paid off. Durant won two championships in his three seasons with the franchise and likely would have won a third, if not for a torn achilles suffered in the 2018-2019 postseason.
Durant departed from the franchise that offseason, and while he could have joined the Brooklyn Nets as a free agent, he agreed to a sign and trade to help the organization. The 2013-2014 NBA MVP was moved for a package headlined by D'Angelo Russell. That move ultimately paid off for Golden State as they were able to flip Russell for Andrew Wiggins and a first-round draft pick that landed them Jonathan Kuminga.
Wiggins played a key role in the Warriors winning their fourth title in eight years and was rewarded with a four-year, $109 million contract extension, while Kuminga appears to be a big part of their future. Durant's willingness to agree to a sign and trade indirectly led to the Warriors winning their fourth title.
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