Durant's latest response: ‘Everybody makes up rumors'

Share

On Monday, a report surfaced that claimed Kevin Durant will leave the Thunder this summer if Oklahoma City doesn't at least reach the NBA Finals.

On Tuesday, Durant responded.

“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," he told reporters. "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."

In early February, The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that if Durant elects to leave the Thunder in free agency, the Warriors are the "significant frontrunners" to land the former MVP.

[REWIND: Bogut 'wouldn't be shocked' if Durant joins Warriors]

Since then, Golden State knocked off Oklahoma City three times -- 116-108 on Feb. 6, 121-118 on Feb. 27, 121-106 on March 3.

Golden State Warriors

Find the latest Golden State Warriors news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.

Why Steph is Bay Area athlete Chapman wishes he could embody

KD clarifies why he was not interested in Warriors reunion

In those three losses, Durant averaged 36.3 points, 12 rebounds and 6.3 assists on 53 percent shooting.

After reaching the NBA Finals in 2012, the Thunder lost in the Western Conference Semifinals in 2013, the Western Conference Finals in 2014, and missed the playoffs last year (Durant last played on Feb. 19).

Does it make sense for Durant to make the alleged ultimatum?

“To me, it doesn’t," Durant told reporters. "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.”

Contact Us