2-Time NBA Champion Kevin Durant Refutes ‘Lazy’ Claims That Suns’ Locker Room Is ‘Poisonous,’ Rips ESPN Reporter

The 2025 NBA commerce deadline was difficult for the Phoenix Suns, and it appeared like each participant on the group was linked to commerce rumors, even All-Star Kevin Durant. Heading into the deadline, the Suns desperately wanted a blockbuster commerce and had their eyes set on Jimmy Butler. Nonetheless, Durant’s identify emerged in commerce talks when the Butler commerce fell quick.

NBA insider Ramona Shelburne reported final week that every one the commerce speak created a “poisonous” surroundings within the Suns’ locker room. Shelburne, in an look on “NBA Right this moment,” stated she’d heard that Phoenix’s shootaround in Oklahoma Metropolis a day earlier than the deadline was “very awkward” and “very bizarre” as a result of “everyone was on pins and needles,” describing the surroundings as “poisonous.”

Phoenix has underperformed this season, and frustrations proceed to construct up after the commerce deadline as some gamers felt blindsided by the commerce rumors. The Suns are at present 26-26, sitting tenth within the Western Convention, and are 16.5 video games again from the No. 1 spot.

Kevin Durant Defends the Suns’ Locker Room Tradition

Throughout a press convention, Durant defended his present group, and the two-time NBA champion pushed again towards Shelburne’s remarks. Durant said, “I believe it’s unfair and lazy to categorize our group as ‘poisonous’ while you are available there for 5 minutes all through 4 months. That’s the one time you’ve been in our locker room, after which you can also make a story. Don’t assume that’s truthful to us, however like I stated, that’s part of the sport.”

Primarily based on the Suns’ efficiency this season, defending the group’s chemistry is hard, however Durant had his group’s again.

ESPN additionally reported that Durant was “blindsided” by his inclusion in talks and quoted a Suns supply, saying, “We must always have gone via Wealthy Kleiman, Durant’s agent and enterprise accomplice.” The 15-time All-Star didn’t deny being blindsided however downplayed it in the course of the press convention.

Kevin Durant on ESPN report that Suns locker room has been “poisonous”: “Yeah, I heard Ramona Shelburne come out and say our locker room is poisonous. I attempt to inform individuals who aren’t round this sport a lot is that it is easy to say our locker room will not be related while you are available there 45… pic.twitter.com/SUkcGHmzGF

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 10, 2025

Durant was eligible to signal a one-year, $60 million extension with Phoenix final summer time. In November 2024, Suns proprietor Mat Ishbia instructed ESPN’s Shams Charania that he anticipated Durant to signal a two-year extension price a projected $120 million when he’s eligible to take action in the summertime of 2025. With all of the commerce rumors main as much as the commerce deadline, it’s unsure if Durant not needs to complete his profession in Phoenix.

Durant is main the Suns in factors and blocks, averaging 26.9 factors and 1.3 blocks via 39 video games this season. He ranks sixth in scoring (26.9), 52nd in rebounds (6.1), 54th in assists (4.2), and twenty sixth in discipline objective share (52.4%).