Ever since Kevin Durant was ‘blindsided’ by the Suns’ attempt of trading him to the Warriors at the deadline, there have been rising speculations about the awkward situation in Phoenix. ESPN’s veteran insider Ramona Shelburne even deemed the locker room environment “toxic” as she reported, “That shootaround yesterday I heard was very awkward, very weird in Oklahoma City because everybody was on pins and needles wondering what they were going to do… The thing they were trying to do did not come to fruition because Kevin Durant said no. It’s hard to move forward and I think that’s where they’re left.” Well, it looks like The Slim Reaper was not pleased with Shelburne’s narrative and called her out for being “unfair and lazy.”

In a brutal response to the toxicity rumors, KD said, “Yeah, I heard Ramona Shelburne come out and say our locker room is toxic. I try to tell people who aren’t around this game much is that it’s easy to say our locker room is not connected when you come in there 45 minutes before and guys are in their game mode and not talking to each other.” Yes, Durant claimed that Shelburne and reporters from other networks usually catch the Suns players at the wrong time, when they are locked in and preparing for a game.

So obviously, its not going to be a welcoming environment in the locker room at that time, as players are busy in the training and weight room. Durant continued, “That’s part of getting ready to play. I think it’s unfair and lazy to categorize our team as toxic when you come in there for five minutes throughout four months. That’s the only time you’ve been in our locker room and then you can make a narrative?”

Well, the media does not have full-time access to a team’s locker room and its easy to make false assumptions based on a five-minute assessment. However, KD understands that facing such criticism is part of the job description of being an NBA player, “I don’t think that’s fair to us, but like I said, that’s a part of the game. Part of the business we signed up for. S— is not fair in this game, but we got to deal with it and accept it.” Of course, Shelburne is not the only media personnel who believes the Suns locker room is dealing with the consequences of a failed KD trade.

Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon also confirmed Kevin Durant’s Awkward Situation in Suns Locker Room

Had it not been for KD shutting down the potential trade, he might have been preparing to suit up for the Warriors right now. Toxic locker room or not, one thing is certain that the Suns were willing to part ways with the two-time champ for a shot at acquiring Jimmy Butler. As much as Durant wants everyone to believe otherwise, such situations are bound to create tensions within a franchise. Even Shams Charania confirmed, saying, “Kevin Durant did not expect his name to be in any trade rumors.”

Meanwhile, Tim MacMahon, who had direct interaction with Durant, revealed his mood after the deal shut down, “I tried to get Kevin Durant’s thoughts. We can imagine what he’s thinking. My attempt did not succeed. He very glumly walked by, head down ‘I don’t wanna talk man.’” And his reluctance to address the media shows that he was shaken up by the unexpected turn of events in Phoenix.

MacMahon also confirmed, “Locker room was very quiet… This is a very fragile awkward situation that the Phoenix Suns have on their hands.” Well, the only way to shut down these speculations is by winning more games and leading the Suns to title contention. That would prove the locker room’s chemistry is still intact and the deadline has caused no rift. Do you agree?