Kevin Durant dropped a bombshell on a Thursday episode of Boardroom Talks, declaring the Brooklyn Nets as the best “on paper” roster he has ever been a part of. Forget the Golden State Warriors dynasty that dominated the league, Durant said, “Just looking at straight roster, nothing else,yeah, I would say Brooklyn.” This take has everyone talking, because it flies in the face of what many fans might assume.
The Names That Made the Nets Shine (on Paper)
Durant’s reasoning is all about individual accolades and established careers. He pointed to the star power he played with in Brooklyn, joining the Nets ahead of the 2019-20 season. That roster included heavy hitters like Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge, Patty Mills, and Paul Millsap. “These dudes I’m talking about already completed their careers, damn near, and on top of me, James and Kyrie,” Durant explained. He contrasted this with his 2016 Warriors team, which had won 73 games the season before he arrived. While Stephen Curry was an MVP, Durant noted, “Klay and Draymond didn’t get the accolades at that time.” He emphasized, “when you’re just putting accolades on the table, I would say that [Nets] team.” This isn’t a new line for Durant either; he even stated earlier this summer on social media that the 2026-27 Philadelphia 76ers were stronger than the dynasty Warriors on paper, partly because Klay Thompson was “never a MVP candidate in nothing.”
Best Roster vs. Best Team: Durant Clarifies
So, does this mean Durant thinks the Nets were better than those championship Warriors? Not quite. He was very specific about the “on paper” distinction. Regardless of those individual honors and impressive résumés, Durant told Boardroom the Warriors’ 2018 or 2019 teams were still the absolute best of his entire 18-year NBA career. It’s a key difference: talent on paper versus the actual performance and chemistry that leads to titles.
What’s Next for KD in His 19th Season?
Durant is now heading into his 19th NBA campaign, his second year with the Rockets, after averaging 26 points per game last season. The Rockets are hoping to win a playoff series for the first time since 2020 next spring, and they’ve been busy bolstering their own roster with the offseason additions of Bogdan Bogdanović and Marcus Smart. Durant’s bold takes certainly keep things interesting, and as he gets ready for another season, all eyes will be on whether he and the Rockets can finally make a deep run.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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