Former Kevin Durant teammate Kendrick Perkins made a bold comment about how teams around the league feel about the former MVP right now. Durant is under fire for missing most of the Houston Rockets first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers and not sitting on the bench during Game 3. Another failed season with more drama following Durant could warrant the Rockets putting him on the trade block.
Perkins said the following on First Take about why Durant is no longer as desirable to other teams around the league:
“Hell no. He’s not. And look, I believe that Kevin Durant is the greatest scorer to ever touch a damn basketball. But let’s go facts over feelings right now and let’s keep it a buck.
The Brooklyn Nets – disaster! The Phoenix Suns ran through two or three championship caliber coaches – a disaster! What did the Suns do this year? They made it to the postseason (without him).
Let’s look at the Houston Rockets. The Rockets last year got to the first round and pushed the Golden State Warriors to seven games. I believe the Rockets gave up Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to get KD. All of a sudden, what has been the biggest knock on the Rockets this year? Their chemistry!”
Perkins had the receipts of Durant’s failed tenures trying to put together super teams with the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns. Houston suffering from chemistry issues is a third strike to Perkins regarding Durant’s value in the NBA.
First Rockets Season Hurt Kevin Durant’s Reputation
Houston made a bold trade to acquire Durant and hoped he was the missing piece to win an NBA Championship. However, the season has not gone as planned with more controversy coming due to Durant’s presence.
Many view the All-Star break as a turning point for the Rockets season when Durant’s alleged burner account became a major story. Durant allegedly insulted teammates Jabari Smith and Alperen Sengun when blaming them for losing close games in the first half of the season.
Things have trended downhill for Houston since then to make them fall out of the list of serious NBA title contenders. Perkins is not being unfair by saying that franchises will view Durant differently after a potential third failed tenure with a new team.
Kevin Durant Might Be On Trade Block
The most relevant aspect of Perkins’ comment comes from the realistic scenario of Durant having a chance of getting traded this summer. Houston reportedly is willing to listen to offers on anyone to improve their chances of winning a title.
Management could easily trade Durant for another star and opt to keep their young talent for the future. However, Perkins’ claims that teams won’t be as excited to trade for Durant nor will they give up valued pieces.
Another report recently claimed that 22 teams would have interest in Durant to add some doubt to Perkins’ words, including the Golden State Warriors where he most thrived. Perkins could be right if teams are stingy and refuse to give up any valuable pieces for the legendary scorer.
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