"Dallas had a good chance of getting him" - Quinn Cook says Kevin Durant would've joined the Mavs if not for Kyrie Irving's ACL injury

Former Golden State Warriors point guard Quinn Cook expressed no surprise at Kevin Durant's offseason trade from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets, having anticipated the move to either the Rockets or the San Antonio Spurs. Cook, who was Durant's teammate on the 2018 championship Warriors team, noted in an interview that he was impressed Houston retained players like Eason, Reed Shepherd, and Cam Whitmore, calling it a great move for the team.

Cook emphasized that Durant instantly elevates the Rockets to title contender status, pointing out that they were the No. 2 team in the Western Conference last season but fell short in the first round due to a lack of a reliable scorer in crucial moments, a gap Durant fills. He highlighted how Durant's presence addresses this weakness, making Houston a formidable force in the league.

Additionally, Cook revealed that if Kyrie Irving had not suffered an ACL tear in March, Durant would have likely pursued a trade to the Dallas Mavericks to reunite with Irving and continue their partnership from their Brooklyn days. He confirmed Durant's strong desire to play with Irving again, noting that Dallas had a genuine chance to acquire him based on their close relationship.

The background of Durant and Irving's bond dates back to the 2016 Rio Olympics, where they became close friends and discussed teaming up with DeAndre Jordan. Despite plans to join forces in Boston in 2018, which fell through, they eventually played together for the Brooklyn Nets but were hampered by injuries, preventing success. They have remained good friends since their split.

Before the 2025 trade deadline, the Mavericks were among the teams linked to Durant, but after winning the draft lottery, rumors of a potential trade to Dallas gradually subsided, leaving the Rockets as the eventual destination.