Kevin Durant made his much-anticipated return to Brooklyn, where his Phoenix Suns defeated the host Nets 108-84. Prior to the game, Durant took the opportunity to reflect on his time with the Nets, which spanned from 2019 to 2023. The era was marked by the formation of a superstar trio with Kyrie Irving, who joined in free agency in 2019, and James Harden, who arrived via trade in January 2021. Despite the high expectations, Durant acknowledged that the collaboration did not yield the desired outcomes.

In discussing the challenges faced during his time in Brooklyn, Durant mentioned the 'dysfunction' that pervaded the team while also expressing gratitude for the unwavering support from the Nets' fan base. He stated, 'Even though we went through a lot of dysfunction, I guess you could call it, for lack of a better term, but regardless of that, a lot of people in those stands still supported, still came out and cheered loud as hell for the game of basketball and for the Nets, so that's what stood out the most.' This sentiment underscores the loyalty of the Nets fans, despite the struggles the team encountered.

The reality is that the Durant-Irving-Harden trio played only a limited number of games together, which significantly hindered their chance of success. When asked about the lack of a championship during their time together, Durant cited injuries and COVID-19 protocols as the primary reasons for their struggles. Notably, the trio participated in just 16 games together, achieving an impressive record of 13 wins and 3 losses. Their performance when individually paired—Durant and Harden (36-16), Durant and Irving (53-34), and Harden and Irving (31-10)—also demonstrated their potential. The team’s best chance to secure a championship appeared to be during the 2020-21 NBA playoffs, yet injuries plagued them at crucial moments. Durant's reflection leaves a lingering 'What if?' regarding their untapped potential in Brooklyn.