BROOKLYN — Everybody across the Nets could also be apprehensive about how Kevin Durant is viewing the commerce of Kyrie Irving, however one individual is just not.
Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn mentioned he wasn’t involved about Durant’s commitment to the group after the most recent drama that had engulfed Brooklyn. When the top coach spoke earlier than Monday’s recreation he was tightlipped about what was happening at that time with the commerce as a result of it wasn’t official at that time.
Nevertheless, when requested concerning the chaotic nature that has surrounded the Nets for the final couple of years, Vaughn didn’t seem too involved that Durant’s persistence was sporting skinny.
“At the end of the day, Kevin wants to win and that’s always been our goal,” Vaughn mentioned. “He wants to win at shootaround. He wants to win any game of the week. That’s why he loves to play. That’s why he wants to play 82 games. That will be our holy grail. We’ll continue to try to put a group out that wins and until there’s something for me to be concerned about, then I’ll carry on business as usual.”
Durant was within the constructing on Monday for the Nets’ recreation in opposition to the Los Angeles Clippers. He was noticed on the bench through the second quarter and was seen actively engaged with what was occurring on the court docket.
KD again on the Nets bench 🙌 pic.twitter.com/kBb8LESPW1
— Nets Movies (@SNYNets) February 7, 2023
The Nets famous person has been sidelined since Jan 8. with an MCL sprain, which has restricted who is aware of how he views the occasions of 72 hours. When Vaughn was requested how his conversations with Durant had been surrounding the occasions, the Nets coach mentioned that their discussions revolved across the workforce.
“My conversation with Kev basically was based around the game and how our group pulled together to get a win,” Vaughn mentioned. “He was enthusiastic by that. How our guys played, how Cam (Thomas) played. So our conversations really kind of geared towards that direction and that was really about it.”
After the sport, Vaughn mentioned that he noticed Durant briefly and mentioned the sport, however any conversations about Durant nonetheless wanting to stay in Brooklyn “wouldn’t even come up in our conversation.”
Irving and Durant’s time with the Nets has include loads of drama surrounding it, significantly with Irving, however Vaughn did say he loved his time teaching Irving.
“My interactions with Ky have always been positive,” Vaughn mentioned after the sport. “I loved teaching him. I would like him to succeed. I’ll hold it that straightforward. We’ve had some ups and downs I suppose alongside the best way. I’ve additionally seen the younger man rating 60 factors. I’ve additionally seen him deliver his children into the locker room. I’ve additionally seen him develop as a person and be a greater teammate than once I first met him.
“So for me, I’m going to always look at the good in people and want the good in people, and I want him to succeed. He’s no longer with us, but I appreciate his time.”
The top of the 7-11 period in Brooklyn has as soon as once more raised issues that Durant might himself ask to be traded away from the group he signed on with again in 2019. The franchise cornerstone had requested a commerce over the summer season that despatched shockwaves throughout the NBA, however he rescinded the request in August after a gathering with workforce possession, normal supervisor Sean Marks and then-head coach Steve Nash.
Irving and Durant have been connected on the hip since coming to the Nets and it was Irving that helped persuade Durant to check in Brooklyn.
If Durant does determine he needs out of Brooklyn, the Nets is not going to need to strive onerous to discover a commerce companion. Groups have already let or not it’s identified they’d be within the combine for Durant, with the Phoenix Suns and Miami Warmth among the many listing of doable suitors.