Kevin Durant denied a rumor from former NBA star Demarcus Cousins, who said on Friday that the Phoenix Suns’ lack of success on the court during the 2024-25 season was partly due to unrest behind the scenes.

During an appearance on Start it backCousins ​​said he was told that Suns players ended up in the locker room in the locker room last season:

“There were a lot of things that happened,” Cousins ​​said. “There were many things that have not yet been reported. I don’t want to be the man to report it, but I have definitely heard of some negative things in the locker room. There were some fist fights. There was a lot going on, which of course was transferred to court. ‘

Durant responded shortly thereafter on Friday, saying the team “never got to this.”

Cousins ​​pushed back against Durant’s denial, saying that his source was one of his teammates in Suns. Despite the allegation, Durant said the source of Cousins ​​was ‘lying’.

The Suns had a disappointing 36-46 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020, and they are now expected to trade the Superstar forward for the outside season.

Charania of ESPN said last week The Pat McAfee Show That Durant could be traded within a few days, and he named the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves as the best linked to KD.

The Suns obtained Durant of the Brooklyn just during the 2022-23 season, and they never reached the heights most expected with the 15-time All-Star on the grid.

Phoenix experienced a play -off match in the second round in his first season and a first exit in his second before missed the playoffs in his third.

Durant was clearly not the issue on the court because he continued to produce at an elite level, even as he approached his 37th birthday.

In 62 games this season, the two-time NBA final MVP was on average 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.6 tries and 1.2 blocks.

Cousins ​​went to bat for Durant on Friday and said, “For him to be the blame of negative seasons they had is completely unfair.”

After winning a few titles with the Golden State Warriors, Durant couldn’t get the nets or Suns at the same level, but there is a lot of reason to believe that he can still make a big contributor to a championship team.

As far as the Suns are concerned, their sharp waste in 2024-25 indicates that the best action can be a rebuild, and that Durant is undoubtedly their best trading disc unless they decide to move on Devin Booker.

If there is the truth of Cousins ​​that there were battles among Suns players during the season, it would not be surprising at all if the front office fitted the timetable, in addition to the move of Durant.

It seems that the Suns’ championship window is closed, so it is best for the franchise to change the culture and the building for the future.