6 Kevin Durant decisions that tarnished his legacy, ranked

Kevin Durant, despite being a future Hall of Famer, has made several decisions that have negatively impacted his legacy. His recent headline-making move to the Houston Rockets via a historic seven-team trade is viewed as another setback in his pursuit of a championship outside Golden State, further tarnishing his decorated career.

One damaging incident involved Durant using anti-gay slurs in a private social media exchange with comedian Michael Rapaport while Durant was recovering from injury with the Brooklyn Nets. The public revelation of this exchange led to significant consequences: Durant received a $50,000 fine, discussions with coach Steve Nash and franchise officials, and a public apology to NBA fans, exposing an ugly side of the interaction for both parties.

Following his first NBA title win, Durant faced backlash for controversial comments about India during a visit where he coached at the NBA Academy India (which set a world record for the largest basketball clinic). In an interview with The Athletic, Durant stated India was "behind" in basketball knowledge and experience and highlighted underprivileged citizens wanting to play. This drew offense from some fans, prompting Durant to apologize on social media, claiming his comments were taken out of context.

Durant also shocked fans by revealing he used burner social media accounts to defend himself against critics, breaking an NBA superstar norm. This practice became particularly embarrassing in 2017 when Durant forgot to switch to a burner account while responding to a fan. His reply included criticisms of his former Oklahoma City Thunder team's roster and coach Billy Donovan, unintentionally exposing his insecurity and sensitivity. Durant admits he still responds to critics.

His tenure with the Brooklyn Nets proved highly disappointing. Expected to form a dominant duo with Kyrie Irving after recovering from an Achilles tear, the partnership yielded no success. The Nets were plagued by injuries and off-court drama, including issues related to the COVID-19 vaccine and antisemitism, despite having significant star power. The team failed to achieve postseason success, whether with James Harden or Ben Simmons, culminating in a playoff sweep by the Boston Celtics. Durant was eventually traded to the Phoenix Suns at the 2023 deadline, beginning a championship drought that continues.