Rockets' Kevin Durant Reportedly Vented Frustrations in Private Messages

The NBA star has a history of using burner accounts to defend himself from critics on social media.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant has been called out for being too sensitive despite being one of the NBA's elite players. A reporter revealed that Durant privately messaged him two years ago to discuss his legacy, the media's portrayal of him, and other topics. While Durant is notorious for clapping back at critics, the reporter said he respects how much the 16-time All-Star cares about his legacy and public perception.

Why it matters

Durant's sensitivity and tendency to defend himself on social media have been a point of criticism throughout his career. This latest incident highlights the pressure and scrutiny that comes with being a superstar player in the NBA, and how even private communications can become public and shape the narrative around an athlete's legacy.

The details

The Ringer's Raheem Palmer revealed that Durant sent him a private message two years ago to discuss his impact on the NBA and a multitude of other topics. Palmer said Durant 'argued with me for hours about his legacy, how Bill Simmons, Stephen A. Smith, and Zach Lowe hate on him, the media telling lies, being better than Steph Curry, my view of him, the (Golden State) Warriors, and so many other things.' While Palmer said he'll never leak their conversation, he's come to respect how much Durant cares about his legacy and public perception.

  • Two years ago on Memorial Day Weekend, Durant privately messaged the reporter.

The players

Kevin Durant

A 37-year-old forward for the Houston Rockets and a 16-time NBA All-Star who is considered one of the league's elite players.

Raheem Palmer

A reporter for The Ringer who revealed that Durant privately messaged him two years ago to discuss his legacy and other topics.

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What they’re saying

“KD jumped in my DMs on Memorial Day Weekend two years ago and argued with me for hours about his legacy, how Bill Simmons, Stephen A. Smith, and Zach Lowe hate on him, the media telling lies, being better than Steph Curry, my view of him, the (Golden State) Warriors, and so many other things.”

— Raheem Palmer, Reporter (X)

“He's human, and he's not any more capable than the rest of us to be impacted by discourse surrounding him despite being rich and famous.”

— Raheem Palmer, Reporter (X)

The takeaway

This incident highlights the intense scrutiny and pressure that comes with being a superstar athlete in the NBA, and how even private communications can become public and shape the narrative around an athlete's legacy. It also shows that even elite players like Kevin Durant are not immune to being impacted by the discourse surrounding them, despite their wealth and fame.