“Somebody leaked the information on purpose to kinda try to put the stain on KD’s name” - Andre Iguodala says he was upset that Nets-Timberwolves trade talks were leaked
Andre Iguodala has said he is upset at how things played out following Kevin Durant's trade request. He believes people have leaked information to smear Durant's name.
Durant reportedly requested a trade from the Nets a few weeks ago and named the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat as his preferred destinations.
The Nets reportedly reached out to the Minnesota Timberwolves and requested two star players and several picks in exchange for Durant. However, the Timberwolves rejected the offer.
REPORT: The Brooklyn Nets asked the Minnesota Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and 4 draft-picks in exchange for Kevin Durant.
The Timberwolves declined.
(via @chrisbhaynes, @VinceGoodwill) https://t.co/EUdjmDXArD
Iguodala was not happy with the reports saw it as an attempt to "stain" Durant's name. On Point Forward, he said:
"This has been bothering me to the core the last few days. I'm reading the Brooklyn Nets had a package to send to the Minnesota Timberwolves and it was for Karl Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, 4 picks.
"The big whatever out of this was Minnesota turned it down. I was upset because it was put out there and you got to understand how these narratives go, somebody leaked the information on purpose to kinda try to put the stain on KD's name."
Andre Iguodala and Kevin Durant were teammates at Golden State
Durant and Iguodala were teammates in the Golden State Warriors' title-winning runs in 2017 and 2018. They also played together in 2019 but failed to complete a three-peat, losing to the Toronto Raptors 4-2 in the finals.
Despite being on different teams since then, Iguodala has the utmost respect for Durant and believes the four-time scoring champion plays the game the right way.
"You look at KD's Twitter, you can tell he's a basketball head. He plays basketball the right way. I'm saying they have four dudes sitting on this man's lap every time. You know how KD can get or you know certain teams think that's the way to guard him, you just send everyone at him."
Iguodala is not the only Warriors player that shares this sentiment. Draymond Green also spoke out in support of Durant when news of his trade request broke.
As things stand, Durant is still a Nets player and might be forced to remain with the franchise for at least another season. ESPN's Brian Windhorst recently reported that the Nets will be more than happy to keep Durant on their books if they do not get the offer they want.