Kevin Durant Says He Was ‘Shocked’ Nets Fired Steve Nash

Star forward Kevin Durant reportedly gave the Nets an ultimatum during the offseason — fire coach Steve Nash and GM Sean Marks, or trade me.

Durant obviously returned anyway, but Nash got fired seven games into the season. Now, it appears, Durant was surprised by the decision.

“You’re always shocked when a move like this happens,” Durant said, via Nick Friedell of ESPN. “But it’s normal in the NBA. It’s about getting ready for the game tonight. It’s a quick turn always in the league, especially during the season. You’ve got practice, games coming up, so you can’t think too much about it. It was on my mind for a little bit (Tuesday).”

Durant was asked why he thought that Nash was fired.

“A lot of stuff,” Durant said, via Friedell. “We didn’t have a healthy team. We just didn’t play well. And that’s what happens in the league. S— happens. That doesn’t take away from Steve’s basketball IQ, how he teaches the game. I don’t think that takes away from anything. It just didn’t work out.”

Meanwhile, Marks said that Durant and point guard Kyrie Irving had “zero” input on the decision to fire Nash.

“I think this was a decision that we didn’t need that,” he said, via Friedell. “Steve and I didn’t need that. Obviously I’ve talked to (Nets owner Joe Tsai) about this, but the players were not consulted. They were told ahead of time that this was the direction we were going.”