The Brooklyn Nets’ decision to trade James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers sent massive reverberations throughout the NBA.
It’s rare to see a guy of Harden’s talent level get moved so freely. But there were extenuating circumstances at play.
One in particular? That Harden and Durant apparently hated each other. Their beef is something of an open secret at this point.
This week, new details emerged regarding why Durant was left unhappy with Harden.
In an article by Logan Murdock of The Ringer, it was revealed that Harden had lied to him not once but twice.
Harden had apparently “twice reassured Durant that he’d sign an extension to stay in Brooklyn long term,” only to subsequently go back on his word.
Understandably, that left a bad taste in Durant’s mouth.
“It wasn’t like it was a disconnect between us as individuals. I felt like we liked each other,” Durant said. “But I was focusing on rehab and he was focusing on the team. Naturally, I wasn’t around the group, but I can’t control how everybody feels about their situation. I can do my best and provide what I provide every day. If it helps someone, cool, if it doesn’t, that’s cool too, but I can’t stress myself out wondering how somebody else feels about the situation.”
At the end of the day, Durant wasn’t the lone Net to have a problem with Harden.
And now Harden is having massive issues with the Sixers already. Clearly he comes with a lot of baggage.
— Game 7 (@game7__) April 1, 2022
Will Durant and Harden at some point find a way to mend fences and become friends once more?
Time will tell.
Related: Kevin Durant’s Blunt Message To Thunder, Warriors
