“Am I a bad person?” — a major question popped into Kevin Durant‘s mind before the 2024 Summer Olympics. To justify his true nature, KD even left a carousel of proof after an unexpected snub from one he considers a part of his legacy. Yes, it’s none other than Nike, the lifetime contract employer of the Suns star. So what exactly happened?

Well, Nike decided to launch an ad campaign titled, “Winning Isn’t For Everyone” in July last year with multiple of its athletes. Durant was one noticeable omission from the campaign. It led to the Slim Reaper’s online call-out of the multi-billion-dollar company, giving us the aforementioned query from the 2-time Finals MVP. But all is forgiven when the bond is as close-knit as KD has with Nike. Letting bygones be bygones, Durant made an honest admission about the brand, thanking them for healing his 5 years of pain.

Durant first teamed up with Nike in 2007 as a rookie and nearly 16 years later, the $106 billion brand made the decision to cement their bond forever. The decision came two years ago in April 2023 when the sneaker giants added the third NBA player to their lifetime deal. With that KD joined the elite ranks of Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Wondering how that achievement felt? Durant is the perfect person to explain it.

During an appearance on the Out The Mud Podcast, Durant reflected on the milestone by saying, “That was a goal of mine man.” And he certainly achieved it with the same level of excellence he’s known for. The 36-year-old didn’t hold back from stating how it felt, “That sh-t like winning the championship.” That’s a bold statement but of course, Durant knows the weight of it, having championship titles in 2017 and 2018 on his resume.

“Be able to solidify yourself with a brand like that for the rest of my life it’s love,” Durant added. “Got shoes that’s going to hopefully be around for a long time.” The deal not only includes shoes but also extends to apparel, community involvement, and philanthropic work. Reportedly there’s a $50 million retirement package as well. That sure is a big deal. The way he spoke about it clearly showed how much this achievement meant to him. At least he could compensate for the five-year championship drought, since both moments felt just as big to him.

Durant made a controversial move in 2016 by joining the Warriors, and after back-to-back championships, he moved on to the Nets. However, he couldn’t find happiness there in those four seasons. So his next stop was the Phoenix Suns in 2023, but even that doesn’t seem like the perfect fit, as the franchise is still far from winning a title.

Potential tensions in Phoenix hindering Kevin Durant’s quest for third title

The Suns brought Kevin Durant on board intending to form a formidable Big 3. While Devin Booker was already there ready to build chemistry, the franchise acquired Bradley Beal. Despite being together for over a season, the trio hasn’t been able to click in the way that majority owner Mat Ishbia had envisioned.

The Suns are pushing for immediate success. In an attempt to boost their chances, they considered trading for Jimmy Butler. The only option they allegedly saw was Bradley Beal, as he hadn’t been contributing as much as the other two. However, the swingman’s no-trade clause in his contract blocked that plan, complicating the strategy even more.

For now, the Suns are holding a 19-20 record in the 11th spot, struggling to find consistency. To make matters worse, rumors of tension in the locker room are swirling, raising concerns about a potential rift within the Big 3.

After all, without solid chemistry, chasing a title might not lead to success. So, will Kevin Durant secure his third championship title with the Suns, or will he have to wait a bit longer? Where do you think the franchise is headed? Let us know in the comments.