When Brittney Griner and Kevin Durant crossed paths in 2023, it marked a special moment. The former Phoenix Mercury center and current Phoenix Suns forward shared that connection before Durant’s first game in Phoenix. After spending four seasons with the Brooklyn Nets, he was traded to the Suns, where he continued his dominant stretch. Meanwhile, Griner reminded fans why she remains one of the WNBA’s best.
Following her return in the 2023 season, Griner delivered an impressive performance. Despite missing nearly a year of basketball, she averaged 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. Before the 2024 season, she took a pay cut to remain with the Mercury, but after their playoff run ended, she explored free agency for the first time. To many fans’ surprise, Griner signed with the Atlanta Dream, a move that even caught Durant off guard.
After Wednesday’s game, Durant shared his reaction to Griner’s decision.
“Yeah, I was definitely shocked to see that,” Durant admitted. “That’s just part of professional sports, but BG has been a staple here in the city for so long. It’s kind of weird seeing her with a new team, but everybody needs change. Everybody wants to explore different parts of the country, live in different places, and play basketball in new environments.
“Atlanta is an incredible vibe, an incredible place, and a great basketball town. She’s going to impact that city just as much with her presence. I loved getting to play in the same city as her these last couple of years. She’s been a good friend of mine for a while.”
Kevin Durant Understands Why Brittney Griner Left the Mercury
If anyone understands the challenges of leaving a franchise, it’s Durant. When he departed the Oklahoma City Thunder after the 2015-16 season to join the Golden State Warriors, it stunned fans, sparking mixed reactions. However, as Durant has reiterated, he needed a change of scenery—something that Griner likely felt as well.
Over her 11 seasons with the Mercury, Griner built a Hall-of-Fame career. She leads the franchise in all-time blocks and rebounds while ranking second in points. Additionally, she played a key role in the Mercury’s 2014 WNBA championship, leading the team to a then-record 29-5 regular season.
Still, as the 2024 season came to a close, speculation surrounded her future. Would she stay in Phoenix? In the end, Griner made the best decision for her career. While player movement is common, her departure was unexpected, given her long tenure with the Mercury.
The Dream boast a talented roster, though it remains to be seen how well Griner’s playing style fits. New Atlanta head coach Karl Smesko emphasizes pace and space, while Griner thrives in the low post, using her size, quickness, and ball fakes to dominate inside. However, teaming up with guards like Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray adds intrigue to Atlanta’s future.
Whether it was a personal decision or a move to chase another championship, Griner made the choice she felt was right. As Durant noted, her presence will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on Atlanta, both on and off the court.
