"Well, check ball then" - Kevin Durant humbles a fan on Twitter amid trade rumors
The Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets completed a massive draft pick-centered trade on Tuesday. Afterward, Kevin Durant was named a potential trade target Houston could flip its draft picks for. An NBA fan on X/Twitter subsequently commented on Durant's reputation, eliciting a humbling response from the Phoenix Suns superstar.
Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets "returned the Nets’ 2026 first-round pick" in exchange "for a 2027 Phoenix Suns first-round pick." They also acquired the "2025 right to swap Houston/OKC's first for the Suns' first-round pick."
Wojnarowski added that "Houston acquired the 2029 more favorable of [the] Dallas [Mavericks] and Phoenix's first-round picks and acquired the right to swap its first-round pick for the less favorable Dallas first and Phoenix first."
In a follow-up report, Wojnarowski highlighted Houston's interest in completing a blockbuster deal for Durant centered around its newly acquired draft picks.
"Houston wants to trade for Kevin Durant, and that becomes far easier if it can return the Suns' picks that it gave up in the Durant deal to the Nets," Wojnarowski said.
While Wojnarowski noted that the Suns plan on keeping Durant, that didn't stop fans on X from speculating.
The former MVP has long been criticized for lacking loyalty since he left the OKC Thunder to form a superteam with the Golden State Warriors in 2016. After winning two NBA titles with Golden State, Durant joined the Brooklyn Nets in 2019. Four years later, he was traded to Phoenix following his trade request.
His Suns are coming off a disappointing Round 1 playoff sweep against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Thus, a fan pointed out that Durant potentially getting moved to his fifth franchise after experiencing more playoff shortcomings wouldn't be a good look.
"KD, so sorry. Look at what his reputation is now, LOL," @SJBasketball8 said.
Shortly after, Durant challenged the fan's slight.
"Well, check ball then," Durant said.
So, the 14-time All-Star seemingly isn't tolerating any shots at his legacy amid trade rumors that appear out of his control.
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Rockets reportedly shifting focus to other trade targets despite Kevin Durant interest
While Houston is reportedly interested in acquiring Kevin Durant, it isn't willing to wait for him to be made available on the trade market.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets are "determined to use the Suns' picks to be aggressive on deals elsewhere" amid Phoenix's reluctance to trade Durant. He added that they are "seeking a major upgrade now."
Houston made substantial progress this past season, finishing 11th (41-41) in the Western Conference one year after its conference-worst 22-60 finish. So, it appears the organization would like to fast-track its young core's trajectory next season.
Adding a superstar-caliber player alongside up-and-coming youngsters Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green could help the Rockets reach the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
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