The Kevin Durant saga on X seems to be never-ending. Known for his boasts and clapbacks online, especially when being trolled, Durant always finds a way to keep people talking. With the Oklahoma City Thunder thriving, some fans have taken the chance to throw shade Durant’s way.
One of Durant’s biggest achievements in OKC was leading the Thunder to the NBA Finals in 2012. Most people credit him for that run, but apparently, one of his old teammates thinks he deserves more praise than Durant.
Kevin Durant Responds to Kendrick Perkins on X
Durant, arguably the most decorated player in Thunder history, played in OKC from his 2007 rookie year through 2016 before leaving in free agency to join the Golden State Warriors.
While in Oklahoma City, Durant won MVP, four scoring titles, Rookie of the Year, and was named to the All-NBA First Team five straight years.
The feud between Durant and Kendrick Perkins has been brewing for years. Perkins usually stirs the pot, and this week was no different. On the “Road Trippin’” podcast, Perkins gave himself a ton of credit for OKC’s 2012 Finals run, claiming he “locked up” players like Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Tim Duncan, and others.
“The Oklahoma City Thunder never went to the NBA Finals until Kendrick Perkins arrived on that team,” Perkins said.
Kendrick Perkins says he locked up Dirk, Pau, Andrew Bynum, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu during OKC’s 2012 Finals run
“The Oklahoma City Thunder never went to the NBA Finals until Kendrick Perkins arrived on that team.”
(🎥 @RoadTrippinPod )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral)
Durant caught wind of Perkins’ boast and replied in a way that only Durant could. While Perkins’ claims could be considered a stretch, he was a key piece of that Thunder defense, which was one of the franchise’s best. Still, no one’s mistaking him for the reason they got to the Finals.
Durant’s response, calling Perkins the “real MVP,” was clearly tongue-in-cheek, but the playful jabs keep the feud alive.
The actual real mvp https://t.co/n2oZclgFAD
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5)
Could Durant Return to the Thunder? Suns Star Has Uncertain Future
While the talk focuses on Durant and Perkins back in 2012, the 2024-25 Thunder is currently embroiled in a ferocious Western Conference Finals series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Durant, who is rumored to be traded this offseason by the Phoenix Suns, has been rumored to potentially end up on the Thunder again — the Houston Rockets have also been a common suitor in rumors as well. And when evaluating both teams’ assets and salaries, the Thunder and Rockets make sense as landing spots.
The Thunder bringing Durant back home to OKC could allow Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to have a co-star that can match him in point production and offense. If the Thunder make the trade for Durant and keep Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, they could be in a position to become a dynasty.
