Kevin Durant makes his feelings clear on Brooklyn Nets after bitter end to four-year tenure with franchise

Kevin Durant's four-year stint with the Brooklyn Nets didn't go as planned. However, the Phoenix Suns superstar seemingly isn't holding any grudges, as he looks forward to seeing his former team bear the fruits of its rebuild.

Upon teaming up with star guard Kyrie Irving in 2019 free agency, the Durant-led Nets were projected to be among the NBA's top contenders when healthy. In 2021, expectations were further heightened when the organization acquired superstar guard James Harden from the Houston Rockets, forming a Big 3.

However, the trio only played 16 games together before splitting up, with their tenure marred by injuries and off-court drama. Brooklyn ultimately mustered just one playoff series victory in the Durant and Irving era.

Following his 2022 offseason trade request, Durant was shipped to Phoenix at the 2023 NBA trade deadline, days after Irving was dealt to the Dallas Mavericks. The moves kickstarted the Nets' rebuild, which appears to be in full swing midway through this season.

Ahead of his return to Brooklyn on Wednesday, Kevin Durant touched on the franchise's outlook, commending its asset accumulation. The two-time NBA champion added that he is rooting for his ex-team to return to prominence.

"Definitely, I want to see this franchise do well," Durant said. "What is it, 12 or 13 picks that they've got? Assets, that's the most important thing with a rebuilding group is the assets."

"... When you look at the big picture, you've got young guys that are getting experience and playing time. You're building assets and getting future picks. And hopefully, you can draft well, put the team together well. So, I think they're walking in the right direction."

Per the New York Post's Brian Lewis, Brooklyn (14-31) "tops the NBA in both salary cap space this summer (an estimated $65 million) and future first-round picks (15)." So, it could be in store for a relatively quick rebuild if it capitalizes on its assets.

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Kevin Durant lauds Nets fans for making his Brooklyn stint enjoyable

While the Nets failed to meet expectations with Kevin Durant, the 14-time All-Star still enjoyed his time with the franchise. In addition to raving about Brooklyn's future on Wednesday, Durant shouted out his former team's fan base.

According to Durant, Nets fans constantly supported him through the ups and downs, and many still appreciate his efforts to lead the organization to glory.

"You see so many fans who still remember those times and appreciate it — even though we went through a lot of dysfunction, I guess you could call it, for lack of a better term," Durant said. "But regardless of that, a lot of people still supported and still came out, cheered loud as hell for the game of basketball and for the Nets."

Durant added that "it was always fun being a little brother" to the New York Knicks in the "Battle of New York."

This season, the 2014 MVP is tasked with guiding a middling Phoenix squad to title contention. Following Wednesday's 108-84 road victory over Brooklyn, the Suns (22-21) sit one game above .500 at the campaign's midway point.

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