Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving joined forces in 2019, bringing his talents to Brooklyn in what was expected to be a dynasty with the Nets.
Four years later, Irving and Durant are on different teams in the Western Conference after winning just a playoff series together in brooklyn
Kyrie Irving (2) of the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on February 8, 2023 in Los Angeles. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Durant has a chance to win a third championship as a member of the Phoenix Suns, while Irving is in a trial season with the Dallas Mavericks as he searches for an organization that will give him a long-term contract.
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Durant and Irving’s time together fell apart before the NBA trade deadline when Irving demanded a trade out of Brooklyn.
On the podcast «The ETC’s with Kevin Durant,» the 13-time All-Star he said he couldn’t blame Irving for wanting to change their situation and expressed disappointment that their time together had come to an end.
«I’m disappointed that we didn’t finish the season, but I also know that we are all separate entities,» Durant said. «We all move and do the things that we want to do for our careers. And I can’t blame anyone for doing that, even if it was at our expense for the team.»
(L-R) Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia, Kevin Durant and general manager James Jones pose for a photo at a news conference at the Footprint Center on February 16, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
«I don’t want to act like I’m not upset that we didn’t finish the season because I loved playing with Ky,» he continued. «I wanted to see where we could go with that because we were both playing at a high level.»
Durant said Irving’s journey has been «unique» as he plays for his fourth team in his 12th NBA season.
«It’s unique. It’s polarizing,» Durant said of Irving’s «journey.»
Kevin Durant (7) and Kyrie Irving (11) of the Brooklyn Nets react during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on January 6, 2023 in New Orleans. (Jonathan Bachmann/Getty Images)
«There are a lot of words you can use for Kyrie in general because his game matches up,» Durant said. «His game of his is so big that you have to see it. But he’s on a journey like all of us. We’re finding enlightenment in our own different ways, and I get it.»
Phoenix announced Tuesday that Durant is expected to make his Suns debut against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night on the road.