“Put your a** right back here” Stephen A. Smith reveals true Nets mindset amid Kevin Durant’s trade fiasco
Follow Us
Stephen A. Smith, Joe Tsai and Kevin Durant
Stephen A. Smith just crashed back into the NBA headlines as he revealed the true mindset of Brooklyn Nets regarding the Kevin Durant trade situation. It’s been more than a month since he requested a trade from the Nets. Recently, he also shocked the NBA world by giving an ultimatum to the organization in a meeting with owner Joe Tsai in London of either riding with him or the Head Coach Steve Nash and General Manager Sean Marks. The Nets haven’t made any decision publically yet but are favoring the coaching staff and management of the team as they are testing Kevin Durant in the market but so far haven’t been able to get any satisfying deal. But Stephen A. Smith strongly believes owner Joe Tsai isn’t going to let KD bounce away and will make sure the team runs it again for at least one more year as they now have the potential to get the job done.
Stephen A. Smith also focused upon the point that it’s Kevin Durant who built the team. As he got DeAndre Jordan, Kyrie Irving, James Harden and Steve Nash into the system. But when nothing of that worked and some pieces even rolled out of the picture he wants to leave with four years remaining on his contract. KD got himself an extension in 2021 worth $198 million for four years and is under a contract with the team through the 2025-26 season. Stephen A. Smith believes and also personally wants Joe Tsai to keep KD with the team as the market right now isn’t favorable to trade him and get a good or even satisfying exchange in return. Also, the superstar shouldn’t just bounce away after the owner and organization did everything possible to keep him happy.
Also Read: “Some of the HATE was because of our skin color” Dwayne Wade hits back at critics of Miami’s Big 3
Stephen A. Smith believes Joe Tsai shouldn’t let Kevin Durant leave this year
Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s “First Take”, switched roles with Nets’ owner Joe Tsai and went on to explain what he’ll do and what should be done with the Kevin Durant situation as he quoted: “I got Kyrie here because of you. James Harden because of you. DeAndre Jordan, DeAndre Jordan, good brother happy got his $40 million from the Nets when he did, but we know he’s past his prime, but you brought him there too. Steve Nash! No experience. Never even coached high school. Didn’t coach high school. Didn’t coach college. Didn’t coach pros, but you want him as your head coach.”
Further, the role switch came in clutch and Stephen A. Smith attacking the greatest scorer in league history quoted: “I’m Joe Tsai, I’ve given you every damn thing you want it. You can give me a championship run legitimately with all of y’all on the court together. Y’all only played about 29 games together. I mean, give me a break. I haven’t gotten a return on my investment and then you commit last summer to a 4-year $198 million deal that came on top of the $164 million. Last time I checked, $198 million, $164 million, that’s about $361 million. Okay, that’s what I paid you and all I got to show for it is one playoff victory because you want to bounce? What? Not even one day on the contract, you asked him to be traded because the contract kicks in now.”
Talking about the future on line for both the parties Stephen A. Smith clearly said what’s best for business for the team. As he said: “You ain’t going no damn place. You’re gonna stay your as* right here. And, you and Kyrie and Ben Simmons…I got arguably the favorite to win the east… You ain’t going no damn place this season maybe next summer we can talk about this. You going to give me this year with the full team on the court. Kevin Durant stays here. If I am Joe Tsai your as* ain’t going nowhere you staying right here.”
Stephen A. Smith isn’t wrong with his take and whatever he said made complete sense. As Kevin Durant leaving the team after it was built for him to succeed but things just didn’t age well is very wrong. As he secured the bag, brought major changes into the system and now is on the wheels to bounce somewhere else as the road is tough and he isn’t ready to take the driver’s seat. The Nets though are respecting his decision and testing him out there but they won’t trade him away until they get a fair deal. As they have a championship roster right now and the departure of the superstar can ruin it all and keeping him is their best option as the market won’t do any justice to them for the exchange.
Also Read: “Don’t believe such sources” Ben Simmons and fiancée slam all reports of breaking up
Do follow us on Google News | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Stay Updated!
Ritik Malik
(1743 Articles Published)