We could say it’s that time of year again, but when it comes to Kevin Durant‘s free-agency rumors, it’s always that time of year. The most recent rumors has Durant issuing an ultimatum that he’ll only stay with the Thunder if they at least make the NBA Finals. If they don’t, then he’s going elsewhere when he becomes a free agent this summer.
Durant, as Anthony Slater of the Daily Oklahoman reports, denies ever making such a demand or even conceiving of it.
There’s a report out there that you have a Finals or bust ultimatum for the Thunder free agency wise. Is that the case?
Kevin Durant: “If it didn’t come from me or anyone I know, like I said in the summer time, I don’t know where it came from. Everybody makes up rumors around this time of year and everyone wants clicks for their stories, so that’s a part of it. I have nothing to do with that. I can’t control it. I’m just focused on playing better each and every day.”
With no context (of what will happen) or ability to read the future, would an ultimatum that you have to get here, or I’m leaving, do and I’m not, would that even make sense?
Kevin Durant: “To me, it doesn’t. You put too much pressure on everybody if you say something like that. Especially my teammates and this organization, they don’t deserve that. So I never said that, I never thought about that. But like I said, I can’t control rumors from people who sit behind their desk every day and think of stuff to say. I’m worrying about coming out here every day and staying healthy and trying to battle against the best players in the world while rumors are getting written up about whatever and I have no control over it. That’s their job and my job is to play. I never said that.”
All season, Durant’s adamantly denied each and every rumor about his free agency, whether it links him to the Warriors, the Wizards, or the Lakers. He and everyone else even barely associated with the NBA knew this wasn’t going to be a quiet season for Durant as far as rumors are concerned. While he can’t put an end to them, he can try to silence them as best he can.
One way to do that, obviously, would be to state his intentions right now. Yet that would be foolish on Durant’s part, and probably impossible. It’s likely he still doesn’t even know what he’s going to do. He may have an idea, but won’t have a decision in place until this season is completely over. Until then, or really until Durant announces his decision, the rumors will persist, and Durant will continue to deny.
(Via The Daily Oklahoman)
