Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant shared his surprise after hearing about Brittney Griner’s unexpected move from the Phoenix Mercury to the Atlanta Dream. Griner, a nine-time WNBA All-Star, spent 12 years in Phoenix, where she helped lead the Mercury to their third championship in 2014 alongside Diana Taurasi. Durant, who has had brief encounters with Griner, including at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and before his first game with Phoenix in 2023, was taken aback by the news of her departure.
After the Suns’ loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night, Durant was asked for his thoughts on Griner’s decision to join the Dream. He admitted, “I was definitely shocked to see that… It’s kind of weird seeing her with a new team.” However, he acknowledged that change is part of professional sports, adding, “BG has been a staple here in the city for so long.”
Durant also expressed optimism about Griner’s new chapter, saying, “Everybody needs a change… Atlanta is an incredible vibe, an incredible place, and a great basketball town. She’s going to impact that city just as much, you know, just her presence.” He reflected on their friendship, stating, “I loved getting to play in the same city as her for the last couple of years. She’s been a good friend of mine for a while.”
Griner’s move to the Dream comes after her remarkable return from a 294-day detainment in Russia, following her release in a prisoner swap in December 2022. After that, she earned back-to-back All-Star honors in the next two WNBA seasons, with her final game for the Mercury being a first-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Lynx last September.
"She's going to impact that city just as much. I loved getting to play in the same city as her for the last couple of years."@KDTrey5's response to @cmorenosports question about Brittney Griner's shocking departure to the Atlanta Dream.#SunsUp pic.twitter.com/CoqItmEbP0
— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) January 30, 2025
Griner’s signing with the Dream marks the franchise’s most significant free-agent acquisition to date. She will now join former No. 1 overall pick Rhyne Howard and All-Star guard Allisha Gray as part of her next career chapter.
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