Andre sincerely wants best for ‘beautiful individual’ Durant originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
STATELINE, Nev. – As the summer rolls on, so does breathless speculation about the future of Kevin Durant. The relentless curiosity indicates his influence over the immediate direction of the NBA.
Whether KD stays with the Nets or is traded away, his placement will affect the balance of power within the league.
Those Warriors who won championships with Durant — Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney, Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala — wish him the best no matter where he lands, because they understand his significance.
Perhaps no one more than Iguodala.
“Hopefully, everything goes well for him,” Iguodala told NBC Sports Bay Area from the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. “KD is such a beautiful individual. He’s a caring person. The game needs him to play at high level, with his mind in a good space.”
There is no question the league is better with Durant playing at his highest levels, one of the top five players in the game, the others being Giannis Antetokounmpo, Curry, LeBron James and Nikola Jokić.
But Curry, Durant and James are well into their 30s, with Hall of Fame credentials met four or five years ago. They are certified, today’s NBA OGs. At their best, they still blow minds and move needles.
Moving to another team, which only Durant is intent on doing, comes with challenges. The contract extension he signed last August — four years, $194 million — goes into effect next season, so he will remain property of the Nets until they decide to deal.
Wanting out does not guarantee getting out, even for a highly accomplished 14-year veteran.
“It’s more about the things you don’t see,” Iguodala said on the latest episode of “Dubs Talk.” “Behind the scenes and how perception is thrown out there from different entities, trying to position for power and leverage in terms of how the trade would go down.”
Durant reportedly has listed the Phoenix Suns and the Miami Heat as preferred but not exclusive destinations. The Warriors have explored the possibility — they explore almost everything that might strengthen them — but are unlikely to engage in serious discussions at the risk of gutting their current roster.
Another factor entered the equation last week, when the Timberwolves traded three rotation players, five first-round picks and a pick swap to the Jazz for three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.
Every front office in the league knows that Durant is superior to Gobert. The Gobert swap further inflated the price for KD.
“Who’s got the power?” Iguodala wonders. “The player can’t have all the power. Other people are in place, and they feel like they’re powerful figures as well. The egos go much further than the athletes themselves. You’ve got an owner, you’ve got a GM, you’ve got a coach, you’ve got teammates. There’s so much that goes into it. It’s very complex.”
Iguodala and Durant had numerous discussions about businesses beyond basketball. Both multimillionaires have dived headlong into new media, technology and investments.
It’s apparent that Iguodala, like the other Warriors that spent three seasons with KD, want to see their former teammate thrive — whether it’s in reuniting with them or joining another franchise.