Kevin Durant never shies away from sparring with hecklers on social media.
After the Suns landed Bradley Beal on Sunday in a yet-to-be-finalized blockbuster trade with the Wizards — pairing the three-time Alll-Star with Durant and fellow Phoenix superstar Devin Booker — reports have emerged about how the deal came together.
NBA insider Shams Charania reported Monday on FanDuelTV that Booker and Durant helped recruit Beal to the Suns, with that tidbit later aggregated by the NBA Central Twitter account.
When Twitter user @unvariedd responded with Durant’s handle, writing, “I thought @KDTrey5 was just a hooper lol,” the former league MVP took notice.
“Here’s your response, thanks for all the support when I was a [N]et,” Durant replied.
Durant also responded with four laughing emojis to a Twitter user who called him a “true bitch.”
Beal, 29, is entering the second season of a five-year deal worth $251 million.
He averaged 23.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game this past season with the Wizards, who went 35-47 and missed the playoffs.
Beal has missed at least 25 games in three of the past four seasons.
In addition to the apparent recruitment from Booker and Durant, many on social media were quick to point out that Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein is the son of Beal’s agent, Mark Bartelstein.
As part of the deal for Beal, it was originally reported that the Suns would send Chris Paul and Landry Shamet to the Wizards, along with multiple second-round picks and pick swaps.
A separate report indicated Paul could potentially get sent to a third team from the Wizards.
Should the reported terms remain, it appears Phoenix will keep center Deandre Ayton, meaning the Suns will have a stout starting lineup but are going to be pressed for depth.
Phoenix is coming off of a second-round playoff ouster to the eventual champion Nuggets.
The Suns are +650 to win the NBA championship next season, trailing only the Nuggets, Celtics, and Bucks in the latest gambling odds on FanDuel.
