Kevin Durant’s Reaction to Trade at Fanatics Fest

Kevin Durant wasn’t overly talkative in the moments following the news. But his smile—a slow smirk forming on his face—was probably enough to convey his feelings.

While on stage at Fanatics Fest in New York City, word spread that the Rockets were set to acquire him, with attendees cheering about the impending announcement. When asked about his initial thoughts, Durant simply replied, “We’ll see, man. We’re going to see.”

In a later interview with Kay Adams from Fan Duel TV, Durant elaborated that while he had some inkling about the trade, he wasn’t certain of the timing. “I’m looking forward to being part of the Houston Rockets,” he stated. He expressed that it had been quite a whirlwind in the days leading up to the event.

Durant found it fitting that the trade occurred at a festival celebrating sports, indicating that the atmosphere made the moment even more special. He also hinted that he “most certainly” played a part in deciding his new destination.

Interestingly, despite averaging 26.6 points per game and sharing the court with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, Durant had his sights set on joining either the Rockets, the Heat, or the Spurs after last season. When asked about his departure, he noted, “I felt like they wanted to go to me… They got what they wanted, and I got what I wanted.”

As he transitioned to the Rockets, who had secured the second seed in the Western Conference before losing to the Warriors, Durant reflected on the nerves that come with such career-altering decisions. “It’s a nervous feeling when people can balance your career that way,” he told Adams. However, he seemed optimistic about joining a team that values his input and direction.