Kevin Durant explained his reasoning behind turning down a trade back to the Golden State Warriors.

Durant has averaged 27.2 points across 41 regular-season games for the Phoenix Suns this season.

The two-time NBA Finals MVP joined Phoenix in 2023, leaving the Brooklyn Nets.

Prior to his time with the Nets, Durant spent three years with the Warriors between 2016 and 2019, winning two NBA championships.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he understood Durant's reasons for not wanting to return, suggesting it was down to the criticism he previously faced during his time in San Francisco.

Durant, though, disagrees.

"People talk crazy about me all the time," the 36-year-old told NBA Today.

"That's not the reason why I didn't want to come back, I just didn't want to get traded midway through the season.

"The game has saved my life."

KD reflects on his past journey to a gold medal and what the game of basketball has done for him. Court of Gold out now on Netflix!

( via @netflix) pic.twitter.com/FIbVx0Jv23

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 18, 2025

"It was nothing against my time with the Warriors, or I heard it was because I don't like Draymond [Green].

"At the end of the day, I just didn't want to move, and I wanted to see it through with my team in Phoenix and see what we could do for the rest of the season. So I'm glad I'm still there."

Durant is, however, anticipated to be up for trade at the end of the season, with Phoenix languishing in 11th in the Western Conference.

"You'd have to ask the front office about that. I never planned on leaving, I didn't ask for a trade from Phoenix," Durant added.

"But obviously, when you pay so much for a team and we're not playing up to our expectation, somebody has to go."