Kevin Durant Denies Reports Claiming He Told Russ He’d Return to OKC Before Joining Warriors

ESPN’s Stephen A.Smith talked about Kevin Durant during Wednesday’s episode of First Take. Durant was told about it, and he reacted immediately.

Smith cited a few sources, and explained that the night before he met with the Warriors, Durant promised Russell Westbrook that he would stay with the Thunder. Durant changed his mind and texted Westbrook. That’s what Smith said.

“One of the things that has never been talked about was what transpired, and why the friction between him and Russ existed. It wasn’t because Kevin Durant left, it was how he handled it.

“According to what I have been told, the night before Kevin Durant flew to the Hamptons and the other four dudes – Iguodala, Draymond, Steph and Klay – met with him, Kevin Durant had dinner with Russell Westbrook, Nick Collison, I think Royal Ivey, but I’m not sure. And literally looked Russell Westbrook in the face and told him ‘I’m not leaving, I’m staying.’ And then went to the Hamptons and announced that he was going to Golden State. And when that happened, he didn’t pick up the phone thereafter and call Russell Westbrook. He texted. Never even called.”

Stephen A Smith explains what happened between KD and his Thunder teammates?

Via @NBAPaint1 pic.twitter.com/bnOGmT7fcW

— NBA RETWEET (@RTNBA) July 3, 2019

Max Kellerman asked him if Durant knowingly lied to Westbrook and his former teammates. Smith said he didn’t.

“His mind was changed. But the point is is that it doesn’t matter. Because in Russell Westbrook’s eyes, you told him one thing, you did another, and then you didn’t call me to tell me you changed your mind. You texted me and never called.”

Well, things took a completely different turn later in the show.

“Kevin Durant reached out,” Smith said. “Said it’s BS what I’m saying. I should check my sources, you understand? And that’s all he said. He did not elaborate, but I want to make sure I’m fair.”

So SAS specifies that KD called him out on the Westbrook report but didn't "have time" to specify if the Kerr situation was false. pic.twitter.com/rY9Lievf8s

— Chris Montano (@gswchris) July 3, 2019

When asked if he has multiple sources, Smith said ‘yes.’

“I will say this. Someone’s lying on you. I will take that back. Multiple people are lying on you, KD, if that’s BS.”

We believe that this isn’t the end of the story. There’s a much bigger issue between the lines, and hopefully, Durant will read it for us.