Kevin Durant is known for his online presence and engages with fans on the internet. Following the Phoenix Suns’ unspectacular season this year, the trade rumors surrounding the eighth-highest scoring player in NBA history have once again raised their heads from beneath the water. Kevin Durant has played for five different teams in his long and illustrious career, winning two championships in the process. Now the Toronto Raptors have stated their interest in signing a “big fish” this offseason, and Durant is among the rumored targets.
Kevin Durant has been an era-defining player in the NBA
Kevin Durant has found success in his basketball career. From college to his early days in the NBA, he has been an integral part of any team that he plays for. Kevin Durant was a beast in college, he began his freshman year at the University of Texas by earning National Player of the Year honors and leading the Big 12 Conference in scoring and rebounding.
His longevity is evident when we consider that the Seattle Supersonics selected KD as the second overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. His impact in the NBA was immediate, earning Rookie of the Year honors in his first season. After the Supersonics moved to Oklahoma City and changed their name to the Thunder, KD led them to the NBA Finals in 2012.
His time in Oklahoma was to be crowned by an MVP award in 2014, where he became an internet sensation after his memorable speech. He credited his mother as” the real MVP”, bringing the world and everyone in the room to tears. From there, he would go on to win two championship rings with the Golden State Warriors, alongside another legend of the modern game, Stephen Curry. He then moved on to the Brooklyn Nets to play alongside Kyrie Irving.
What has led Kevin Durant to deny the trade rumors around the Raptors?
The Toronto Raptors are in a rebuilding process at the moment, and they aim to sign a star player this offseason. The two players in the discussions are Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Giannis, in particular, has gotten the most attention as he is reportedly seeking greener pastures outside of Milwaukee. But some fans online have been speculating that the Raptors might opt for KD, as there has been a mutual interest and respect between KD and Toronto for some time now.
As mentioned, Kevin Durant is no stranger to engaging with fans on the internet, and that engagement has led to KD shutting down the rumor that he is making his way to Toronto. After reports of the trade emerged on a parody sports page online, Kevin Durant took the time to personally respond to a fan’s comment. He tagged the fan in question and simply commented, “Fake page”. It’s that time of the year when trade rumors are the talk of the town in the NBA.
Following a game in Toronto earlier this year, Kevin Durant made his love for the City clear, stating,
I love Canada. I love Toronto. Has always been nothing but love and respect here. They appreciate my journey as a player, so I always have fun coming here. Crowd is always on its feet all game. So they love basketball here, so I enjoy coming up here.”
If not the Raptors, where could we see Kevin Durant playing next season?
Kevin Durant’s time and experience in the NBA means that he is a prized acquisition for any team. With the Finals capturing the basketball world’s attention at the moment, the trade rumors surrounding multiple teams have become the major talking points for the vast number of NBA talk shows. With his status as a legend of the game secured, Kevin Durant will surely have only one goal left in his career: to win another championship ring before Father Time calls his number. What has become clear is that it will not be happening with the Toronto Raptors, at least not for now.
