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Kevin Durant Reacts to 'Insane' Luka Dončić-Lakers Trade: 'Anybody Is Up for Grabs'

Adam WellsFebruary 2, 2025

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 26: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks during the NBA game at Footprint Center on October 26, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Mavericks 114-102.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Add Kevin Durant to the list of people who were stunned to see the news of Luka Dončić being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers overnight on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters after the Phoenix Suns' loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, Durant called it "insane" to think a player of Dončić's caliber at his age could get dealt.

"It's crazy," Durant said. "Crazy. Damn, would of never thought Luka Doncic would get traded. At his age, midseason, the NBA is a wild place, man. If he can get traded, then anybody is up for grabs."

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin

"Insane. It's crazy, crazy."<br><br>Kevin Durant on mega Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade.<br><br>"Players are held to a different standard of loyalty and commitment to a program but the organizations don't get held to that same standard from the outside."<br><br>On teams following suit before Feb.… <a href="https://t.co/DekP4eRN6N">pic.twitter.com/DekP4eRN6N</a>

The full trade saw the Lakers acquire Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round draft pick, per ESPN's Shams Charania. The Utah Jazz were also involved in the deal, receiving Jalen Hood-Schifino, second-round draft picks in 2025 from the Mavs and Los Angeles Clippers.

Durant has been criticized for his seeming unwillingness to settle in with a single organization when things start getting difficult.

Since leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder as a free agent in the summer of 2016, Durant has played for three different teams in nine seasons. It's not uncommon to see this type of player movement in this era, but it's unusual for a superstar of his caliber to be seeking the next thing.

It's easy to explain all of Durant's moves. He felt like the Thunder's roster construction and style of play was limiting his game, so he went to a Warriors team that had a freestyle approach led by Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.

After the Warriors' experiment ended, Durant wanted to build his own superteam with Kyrie Irving when they signed with the Brooklyn Nets. Things never came together for a variety of reasons, so he requested a trade after Irving was deal to the Mavs.

It can be frustrating for fans to see Durant go through these phases, but it's no different than when teams decide they want to move on from a player by unceremoniously dumping them without warning.

In some ways, that's exactly what the Mavs did Dončić. He's been the foundation for everything with the organization since being drafted in 2018, including leading them to the NBA Finals last season.

Due to reported concerns about Dončić's physical conditioning going forward, the Mavs decided they needed to move on at this point. They got a great player back in return with Davis, but one who has a long injury history of his own and is is six years older than Dončić.