Former Nets star Kevin Durant interestingly compliments rebuild in Brooklyn

It’s almost like Kevin Durant wishes he was still with the Nets.

Brooklyn welcomed Durant back to Barclays Center earlier this week, and based on his comments, the arena must've made the now 15-time NBA All-Star a bit nostalgic.

“It was the most fun I had in a long time playing ball,” Durant reflected on his Nets tenure. “I’ll tell you that. I just really enjoyed myself. Regardless of the chaos that was going around, I had a great time suiting up, putting on for these fans and for the borough of Brooklyn.”

Chaos came in different forms as the Nets attempted to build a superteam in 2019 with Durant and Kyrie Irving, later adding James Harden in 2021. Injuries, COVID-19, contrasting personalities and other unwarranted distractions consistently plagued the group, and the media storm that followed each incident didn’t exactly help. Even so, that three-headed monster was something to behold when everything came together. Rare, but textbook basketball at its finest.

“That first year when James [Harden] got here halfway through the season, that was some of the most incredible basketball that I’ve seen and played in,” Durant shared. “But more so than anything, the locker room, the bus rides, the plane rides, the hotels – that was the culture we were building. A lot of people didn’t get to see it, but I wish they could’ve. It was special.”

Watching an idea many thought might lead to a championship completely dissipate in 2023 was difficult enough in Brooklyn, with blockbuster trades of both Irving and Durant taking place mere days apart, but rebuilding often only continues the pain. Fortunately for the Nets, a haul from Phoenix of Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, four unprotected first-round picks and a pick swap in exchange for Durant was far from the worst place to start. 

While Irving recently took the opportunity to revel in his Nets departure, Durant had a much more thorough and insightful approach when looking back at his former franchise. He understands that Brooklyn’s stash of 15 first-round picks over the next seven drafts, a handful coming from Durant’s exit, should help significantly alter the franchise’s trajectory in the coming years. The two-time NBA Finals MVP was straightforward about his desire to see the Nets succeed and already predicts great basketball ahead. 

“That’s the most important thing with a rebuilding group, the assets,” Durant said. “The product on the floor, it might be inconsistent some games. They beat us early in the season and looked great, then you lose to the Clippers by 40 or 50, and that might not look great. But when you look at the big picture, you’ve got young guys that are getting experience, playing time. You’re building assets. You’re getting future picks. Hopefully, you can draft up and put a team together well. They’re walking in the right direction, but I think the fans definitely want to see some great basketball on the floor, and I think it’s coming for this team.”

These Nets comments came just a week removed from Durant joining the Out The Mud Podcast, hosted by NBA legends Zach Randolph and Tony Allen, to discuss his illustrious and controversial career, interestingly enough also mentioning his love for Brooklyn and its fanbase. For those inevitably wondering about the prospect of a Nets reunion, the 36-year-old superstar is set to become a free agent in 2026, owed $54.7 million in the final year of his contract next season.

Durant has averaged 27 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 36.6 minutes per contest with the Suns since 2023, still hovering around his 17-year career marks.

Crazier things have happened than Brooklyn potentially getting No. 7 back in black. If nothing else, it seems like the four-time scoring champ wouldn’t really mind that at all.