Scottie Pippen supports the idea of Kevin Durant’s trade request
The Hall of Famer has no issue with the Nets star’s desire to leave, in fact he understands and supports it.
While there are many who have been quite vocal with their negative responses to Kevin Durant’s trade request, there are some who aren’t just OK with it, but actually support it.
Scottie Pippen backs Kevin Durant’s trade request
According to his comments, former Chicago Bulls forward and NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen is in full support of Kevin Durant’s recent trade request from the Brooklyn Nets. During a recent radio appearance, the NBA legend disclosed that he has no issue what so ever with Durant’s stance, but rather sees it as a reflection of where the business of basketball is in today’s world.
“That’s the game today. Players control their own destiny. Not much loyalty is needed on either side of the table anymore. I’m fair with it to be honest,” Pippen said. “I kind of like how the players have the freedom to change, and it’s what the owners have been doing to players for years. They just evened the playing field to me. ...I don’t feel bad for what K.D. is doing at all,” Pippen added. “I think it’s a great move for him. You can move as much as you want in today’s game. It’s like playing pickup basketball.”
Does Scottie Pippen have a point?
What’s important to understand here is the context of Pippen’s view. Though valid, it must be said that while it is clear that players now weild greater power than they once did when compared with franchises themselves, Pippen is perhaps a unique example of what was common before the modern era. A teammate of Michael Jordan and a member of Chicago’s dynasty years, Pippen was clearly underpaid relative to his stats and overall value. It stands to reason that coming from that perspective, he would be naturally in favor of any scenario where players have more freedom and thereby the opportunity to make more money.
Then does Kevin Durant have a point?
When it comes to the base of criticism levelled at Durant, it’s largely about the fact that he has four years remaining on his current contract. After his request for a trade from the Brooklyn Nets following a disastrous 2021-22 season, many accused Durant of taking the easy way out by trying to leave, rather than staying on board to help raise a franchise that invested a great deal in him. This is afterall a player who joined the Nets alongside Kyrie Irving, which as one can imagine brought a lot of expectation. It all ended in proverbial tears, however, with the Nets being swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics. Suffice to say, whether his position is understandable or not, it’s highly likely that if Kevin Durant does in fact leave the Nets, there will be many who will likely say ‘good riddance.’