Kevin Durant is sharing his unfiltered reaction to LeBron James’ shocking decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers for what will likely be his final NBA season.
“I didn’t know at all,” Durant, 37, exclusively told Us while attending the USA Basketball Foundation x RX3 Charity’s 3×3 tournament on Saturday, August 1. “LeBron is stealth like that. I know there’s a lot of noise around him, but you never know what’s on his mind. I’m happy for him.”
Durant added, “It’s a great decision for him to go to a team that has a good chance to win. Philly is a great fanbase, a great market and it’s great for the league. There were so many eyes that were tuned in to his decision. It’s only gonna help us as a league.”
On July 24, LeBron, 41, stunned the sports world when he signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers — a massive pay cut for the NBA star — after spending eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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“I thought I was done when the season ended,” James, 41, shared via X at the time. “I wasn’t ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really device, but I was pretty sure I played my last game. I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and decide if I still love this game. I still truly love this game, and I have more to give.”
He continued at the time, “The last few weeks have really been special. I’ve never been able to have no clue what to do and take real time to just think. I’ve had an incredible few months with all the people I love trying to figure it all out. This is my last decision. I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point? I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to give. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship.”
James’ decision came as a shock to many — including President Donald Trump, who attacked the athlete personally in the wake of his announcement.
“I think Lebron, maybe he’s a racist,” Trump, 80, said on the day James revealed his decision. “But maybe he doesn’t like Trump. I don’t know. I only like people that like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way.”
When speaking to Us on Saturday, Durant — who plays forward for the Houston Rockets — explained why, like James, he believes the 76ers can be a championship contender.
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“The last time they put three 20-point scorers on a team they said it was unfair, which was the [Warriors] team I was on,” he explained. [The 76ers] have got four 25-point scorers on this team. So, hell yeah, I think they’re going to be a contender. They’re going to be a fun team to watch. It’s going to be League Pass-worthy. It’s gonna be fun to watch. I can’t wait to see it.”
Durant added, “It’s a lot of great things in the league, man. It’s great talent all across the league. I think the league’s in a great place right now. You can see by somebody like LeBron going to Philly.”
